During the reporting period, the growing and harvesting of Aman rice and the sowing of irrigated maize and wheat were the main farming activities. Rainfall was close to average, most rainfall occurred between October and the beginning of November. TEMP was a bit higher (+0.6°C) and the photosynthetically active radiation was 971 MJ/m² (1% lower than average). BIOMSS was below average by 1% and CALF was 93%. The national NDVI development curve shows that crop conditions across the country were slightly lower than the 5-year average from November to January. The spatial NDVI pattern shows that 33.3% of the crops were above the 5-year average throughout the season, mainly dispersed in Coastal region and Hills. 26.5% of the crops were below average during the whole monitoring period, and 34.5% of the crops were close to average from October to December and then below average in January. The best Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx) ranged from 0.5 to 1 and the national VCIx value was 0.89, with most areas higher than 0.8. At the country level, the CropWatch indicators as well as the VCIx map indicate average crop conditions.

Regional analysis

Bangladesh can be divided into four Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ): Coastal region, the Gangetic plain, the Hills, and the Sylhet basin.

The Aman rice crop cultivation in the Coastal region passed through 2 phases: growing and harvesting. Both RAIN and TEMP were above average (+36% and +0.8°C, respectively), RADPAR was below average (-1%). Abundant rainfall and sunshine were beneficial to the growth and harvest of rice. Estimated BIOMSS increased by 8%. The crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows that crop conditions were close to the 5-year average. CALF was at 92% and VCIx at 0.94. They indicate favorable conditions in this region.

The Gangetic plains experienced the least drop in rainfall (-19%). TEMP was above average (+0.5°C) and RADPAR was 1% below. The crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows that crop conditions were significantly lower than the 5-year average during the whole monitoring period, and BIOMSS decreased by 4%. CALF (95%) and VCIx at 0.92 indicate below-average prospects.

In the Hills, rainfall was 17% above average. TEMP was above average (+0.4°C) but with poor sunshine (RADPAR -2%). The crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows that crop conditions were close to average during the whole monitoring period. BIOMSS was below average (-3%), CALF was 98% and VCIx was 0.99, indicating average crop conditions.

In the Sylhet Basin, rainfall was below average (-8%). TEMP was 0.7°C above average and RADPAR was 2% below. The crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows that crop conditions were above average in October and then decreased to below average from November to January. The BIOMSS was also 3% above average, with a low CALF at 89% and VCIx of 0.88, indicating average crop conditions.

Figure 3.9 Bangladesh’s crop condition, October 2020-January 2021.

 (a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI  (c)  Maximum VCI

(d) Rainfall Index   (e) Temperature Index

(f) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA              (g) NDVI profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Coastal Region (left) and Gangetic Region (right))

(l) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Hill Region (left) and Sylhet Basin (right))

Table 3.9 Bangladesh’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2020-January 2021

Table 3.10 Bangladesh's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, October 2020-January 2021