During this monitoring period, no crops were grown in Mongolia due to cold winter weather. Mongolia's climate is harsh, with farming only possible during the warm season between May and October, with temperatures approaching 0ºC in late April. Spring wheat and potatoes are the main crops in Mongolia. Planting starts in May. Among the CropWatch agroclimatic indicators, RAIN and TEMP were above average (+83% and +1.4°C), while RADPAR was below average (-6%). The combination of the factors resulted in a high BIOMSS (10%) compared to the fifteen-year average. The above-average rainfall helped establish favorable soil moisture conditions for the summer crops. 

Regional analysis 

Khangai Khuvsgul region: NDVI was above the five-year average from February to March and close to the average in January and early April. RAIN and TEMP were above average (+94% and +1.5°C), while RADPAR was below average (-6%). The BIOMSS index decreased by 3% compared to the five-year average. The maximum VCI index was 0.83. Overall crop prospects are normal. 

Selenge-Onon region: Crop condition was above the five-year average in early January and March and below the five-year average in early February and April in this region. Accumulated rainfall and temperature were above average (RAIN +86% and TEMP +1.3°C) and RADPAR was below average (- 6%). The BIOMSS index increased by 10% compared to the five-year average. The maximum VCI index was 0.95. Overall crop prospects are favorable. 

Central and Eastern Steppe Region: According to the NDVI development graph, crop condition in this region was above the five-year average in early January and March and below the five-year average in February and April. RAIN and TEMP were above average (+76% and +1.3°C), while BIOMSS index increased by 2% and RADPAR was below the five-year average (-5%) in this region. The maximum VCI index was 0.82. In general, the overall outcome for the crops is favorable.

                    (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 (Hangai Khuvsgul Region (left) and Selenge-Onon Region (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Central and Eastern Steppe)

Table 3.51 Mongolia’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values, and departure from 15YA, January – April 2021

Table 3.52 Mongolia’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values, and departure from 5YA, January – April 2021