Winter wheat and rice are the main cereals that are grown in Afghanistan. Winter wheat was sown in October and November. Rice harvest took place in October and November.

During this monitoring period, the total precipitation in Afghanistan trended significantly below the 15YA (-28%), although in November and December, it was higher than last year and the 15YA. Temperature and RADPAR were near average. The unsatisfactory rainfall resulted in a lower BIOMSS as compared to the 15YA (-36%).

The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) increased by 37% over the 5YA. According to the maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx), the eastern and southern regions were better than the northern regions. As to the spatial distribution of NDVI profiles, crop conditions in about half (50.3%) of country were above average and about 15% of the area was below the average during the whole monitoring period. The most favorable conditions were observed for the northeast and south. However, snow and cloud cover may have caused some fluctuation in the NDVI values starting from mid-November. Generally, agroclimate conditions were not favorable for the planting and early growth of winter crops due to drier-than-normal conditions.

Regional analysis 

CropWatch subdivides Afghanistan into four zones based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topography. They are described below as Dry region, Central region with sparse vegetation, Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region, and Mixed dry farming and grazing region.

Rain in the Central region was significantly below average (89mm, -24%). Temperature was close to the 15YA, whereas RADPAR and BIOMSS were below average (-2% and -32% respectively) because of the insufficient precipitation. CALF was 4% and VCIx was 0.73.

The Dry region recorded 56 mm of RAIN (-40%), temperature was below average (-1.1°C) and RADPAR near average (-1%). The unfavorable climate conditions resulted in a significant decrease of BIOMSS (-46%).

In the Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region RAIN was 149 mm (-23%), TEMP was also lower than average (-1.5°C) and RADPAR was near average (-1%). The BIOMSS was lower than the average by 29% due to the insufficient rainfall. CALF was 6% and VCIx was 0.53.

For the Mixed dry farming and grazing region, the following indicator values were observed: RAIN 67 mm (-35%); TEMP 4.2°C (-1.6°C); RADPAR 775 MJ/m² (-1%). BIOMSS was 79 gDM/m² (-33%), CALF deceased to 0 and the VCIx was only 0.36.

Figure 3.1. Crop condition in Afghanistan, October 2020 - January 2021

a) Phenology of major crops

b) Time Series Temperature Profile

c) Time series rainfall profile

d) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI        

 e) Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles

f) Maximum VCI

g) Potential biomass departure from 5YA

h) Time series PAR profile  

ia) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Central region with sparse vegetation)

ib) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Dry region)

ic) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region)

id) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Mixed dry farming and grazing region)

Table 3.1. Afghanistan’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2020 to January 2021

Table 3.2. Afghanistan’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, October 2020 to January 2021