The current monitoring period covers the harvest of rabi rice and wheat in April and May, as well as the sowing of maize, kharif rice and soybean. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop conditions were close to or above the average in general, except in July, indicating that the crop conditions for rabi rice and wheat were favorable at the national level.

The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that nationwide TEMP (-0.6°C) and RADPAR was close to average, whereas RAIN was slightly below the 15YA (-7%). The average TEMP and RADPAR made up for the low rainfall, resulting in a BIOMSS increase by 4% compared with the 15YA. The overall VCIx was high, with a value of 0.86. As can be seen from the spatial distribution, only the Northwestern region recorded values below 0.80. Most of India had high VCIx values. These spatial patterns of VCIx were thus generally consistent with those of NDVI. The southwestern and northeastern regions showed above-average crop conditions while the conditions were slightly below average in the northwestern regions. The spatial distribution of NDVI profiles shows that after June, 61.2% of the areas showed above-average crop conditions in the eastern and southern regions. CALF increased by 9% compared to the 5YA. With the exception of a few areas, the crop conditions in all parts of India were favorable. 

Regional analysis

India is divided into eight agro-ecological zones: the Deccan Plateau (94), the Eastern coastal region (95), the Gangetic plain (96), Assam and north-eastern regions (97), Agriculture areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat (98), the Western coastal region (99), the North-western dry region (100) and the Western Himalayan region (101).

The four agro-ecological zones of the Gangetic plain, the Agriculture areas in Rajastan and Gujarat, the Western coastal region and the North-western dry region showed similar trends in agricultural indices. Compared to the same period of previous years, RAIN had increased significantly, especially in the North-western dry region (+50%). The TEMP was slightly below average and RADPAR was lower, and the abundant rainfall caused BIOMSS to be much higher than the 15-year average. CALF showed different trends. The highest increases had been observed in Western coastal region (+28%), and the highest decreases in North-western dry region (-50%). The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of these three agro-ecological regions during this monitoring period exceeded the 5-year average in most months. Generally, the crop production is expected to be above average.

The Eastern coastal region and the Western Himalayan region recorded similar trends of agricultural indices in this monitoring period. Compared to the same period of the previous years, RAIN had decreased by 11% in the Eastern coastal region and by 20% for the Western Himalayan region. TEMP was slightly above average (+0.6°C). The RADPAR was above average for both regions but did not compensate for the rainfall effect and caused a decrease in BIOMSS. Both regions recorded increases of CALF. VCIx was above 0.87. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth for both regions was generally above the 5-year average. The crop production is expected to be above average.

The Assam and north-eastern regions recorded 1534 mm of RAIN, which was 26% below average. TEMP was at 25.0°C (+0.6°C), and RADPAR was slightly above the 15YA at 1172 MJ/m² (+5%). BIOMSS was slightly above the 15YA (+1%). CALF reached 96% which was a slight decrease over the 5-year average, and VCIx was 0.91. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of this region during the monitoring period was below the 5-year average in most months. Generally, the crop production is expected to be below average.

The Deccan Plateau recorded 561 mm of RAIN, which was slightly below average (-8%). TEMP was at 30.3°C (-0.9°C) and RADPAR was at 1221 MJ/m² (-3%). BIOMSS was above the 15YA (+3%). CALF reached 79% which was significantly above average (+15%), and VCIx was 0.84. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of the region during the monitoring period exceeded the 5-year average in most months. The outlook of crop production in this region is favorable.

Figure 3.20 India's crop condition, April-July 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

图.X Time series temperature pofile

                (f)  Temperature profiles                                              (g) Rainfall profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Deccan Plateau (left) and Eastern Coastal Region (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Gangetic Plains (left) and Assam and north-eastern regions (right))

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Agriculture areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat (left) and Western Coastal Region (right))

k) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (North-western dry region (left) and Western Himalayan Region (right))

Table 3.31. India’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April-July 2021

Table 3.32. India’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, April-July 2021