During this monitoring period (April-July), wheat reached maturity by the end of April. It was harvested in May and June. Maize matured by the end of May and was harvested in June and July. The cumulative rainfall was 36% above the 15-year average (15YA). The average temperature was 20.2℃, close to the 15YA. Both RADPAR and BIOMSS were slightly below the 15YA by 1% and 2%, respectively. The nationwide NDVI development graph indicates that the crop conditions were above the 5-year average (5YA) until the end of April and slightly below the 5YA during the remaining period. The NDVI spatial pattern shows that 19.1% of the cultivated area was above the 5YA crop conditions, 18.8% were below, and 62% fluctuated around the 5YA; the latter was 19% higher than the 5YA to the end of April. CALF was above the 5-year average (5YA) by 23%, with the VCIx value reaching 0.85, confirming favorable crop conditions.

Regional Analysis

CropWatch demarcates three agro‐ecological zones (AEZs) relevant for crop production in Morocco: the Sub-humid northern highlands, the Warm semiarid zone, and the Warm subhumid zone. In the Sub-humid northern highlands, rainfall and temperature were above the 15YA by 13% and 0.7℃, respectively. Both RADPAR and BIOMSS were below the 15YA by 1% and 5%, respectively. In the Warm semiarid zone, rainfall was above the 15YA by 66%. Both RADPAR and BIOMSS were below the 15YA by 3% and 1%, respectively. In the Warm sub-humid zone, rainfall was above the 15YA by only 1%. Both RADPAR and BIOMSS were below the 15YA by 2%. The NDVI profile confirms generally good crop conditions in the three zones, as it was slightly above the 5YA in April and early May. The CALF was 36%, 23%, and 28% above the 5YA, and the VCIx was 0.69, 0.89, and 0.82 for the three zones, respectively, confirming favorable crop conditions.

                                                                                               Figure 3.28 Morocco's crop condition, April-July 2021

(a) Phenology of major crops

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

(d) Time series profile of rainfall （e)Time series profile of temperature

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

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Sub-humid northern highlands).and (l). Warm semiarid zones) 

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI, Warm subhumid zones.

Table 3.47 Morocco's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April-July 2021

Table 3.48 Morocco's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values, and departure from 5YA, April-July 2021