Winter and spring wheat are the main cereals sown in Afghanistan. Most winter wheat is grown in the northern border provinces. Harvest is in May. Spring wheat was planted between March and April.

During this reporting period, the RAIN in Afghanistan was lower than the 15YA and lower than in 2020. Temperature was higher than average in early January and April 2021. BIOMSS was estimated to be 1% above the 15YA. According to crop condition development graphs based on NDVI, the national crop conditions were below average starting from mid-March.

The cropped arable land is mainly located in Badghis, Faryab, Balkh, Kunduz, Takhar, Badakhshan, and Nuristan. The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) decreased by 37% from the 5YA. According to the maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx) map, the vegetation in the south was better than in the north. As to the spatial distribution of NDVI profiles, crop conditions in most of the area (about 53.3% of cropped area) were above average or close to average from January to April. For 46.6% of the area, the conditions were below average. This was mainly in the northwest part of Baghlan (Maymana, Mari Chaq).

In general, the conditions for wheat were unfavorable due to below-average rainfall in January, February and April. 

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.

The RAIN in the Central region with sparse vegetation was 167 mm (-42%). The TEMP was 2.1°C (+2.3°C), and the RADPAR was 1026 MJ/m² (+3%). According to the NDVI-based crop condition development graph, the NDVI was higher than the average level until March. BIOMSS increased by 1%, CALF had decreased (-3%) and VCIx was 0.58.

The Dry region recorded 74 mm of rainfall (RAIN -67%), TEMP was higher than average at 10.1°C (+1.7°C), and RADPAR was 1105 MJ/m² (+5%). According to the NDVI-based development graph, crop conditions were better than the five-year average in January and February, and lower than average in March and April. CALF in this region decreased by 1% and VCIx was 0.26.

In the Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region, the following indicator values were observed: RAIN 309 mm (-27%); TEMP 4.3°C (+0.8°C); RADPAR 932 MJ/m² (+5%). BIOMSS was 218 g DM/m2 (-3%) and CALF was 29% below average. According to the NDVI-based crop condition development graph, NDVI was lower than the average level and VCIx was 0.58.

The Mixed dry farming and grazing region recorded 71 mm of rainfall (RAIN -69%). TEMP was 8.0°C (+1.7°C) and the RADPAR was 1028 MJ/m² (+5%). CALF was 75% below than the 5YA. VCIx was 0.30 and BIOMSS increased by 21%. According to the crop condition development graph, the NDVI was much lower than the 5YA in March and April.

Figure 3.5 Afghanistan’s crop condition, January - April 2021

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

 (c)  Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                                                                                    (e) NDVI profiles

(f) Rainfall profiles                                                                                                                              (g) Temperature profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (central_Sparse_Veg Region (left) and Mixed_Farming_Graze Region (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Mixed_Dry_Irrigated Region (left) and Dry (right))

Table 3.1 Afghanistan’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, January - April 2021

Table 3.2 Afghanistan’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, January - April 2021