This reporting period covers the dormancy to flowering stage of winter wheat in southwestern China. According to the regional NDVI profile, crop conditions were generally close to the 5-year average.

On average, rainfall was above the fifteen-year average (Rain +12%), whereas solar radiation was below average (RADPAR -10%). Temperature was close to average (TEMP +0.6 °C). The resulting BIOMSS was 4% above average mainly due to lower radiation. The cropped arable land fraction remained at the same level as in the last five years, which indicated there was no change in crop planting for this period.

According to the NDVI departure clustering map and the profiles, values were close to average in general, except in Yunnan, central Sichuan and neighboring areas in south-western Chongqing. In January, the overall NDVI in the region was close to the average level. Rainfall and RADPAR were below average for Yunnan (-5% and -1% respectively), but Chongqing experienced above-average rainfall accompanied by cloudier skies (RAIN +25%, RADPAR -14%).  Average NDVI throughout the monitoring period was observed in eastern Guizhou and Sichuan, where radiation was below average and precipitation above average (See Annex A.11). The maximum VCI reached 0.92, indicating that peak conditions were comparable to the last five years. The winter crops had reached the flowering period at the end of April. If the rainy and cloudy weather conditions persist in May, wheat yield losses may occur. Conditions were mixed, but generally close to average. 

Figure 4.12 Crop condition Southwest China region, January 2021- April 2021

(a) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI     (c) NDVI profiles

(d) Maximum VCI

(e) Potential biomass departure from 15YA

(f) Time series rainfall profile

(g) Time series temperature profile