The current monitoring period covers the monsoon season, during which the main rice crop (Kharif) is grown. It is planted at the beginning of monsoon in June and harvested in October. Other major crops grown during this monitoring period are maize and soybean. Rabi wheat sowing started in October. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop conditions were below average in general, except in October. This may have been partly due to cloud cover in the satellite images.

The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that nationwide, TEMP (+0.1°C) and RADPAR were close to average, whereas RAIN was slightly below the 15YA (-11%). The average TEMP and RADPAR compensated for the low rainfall, resulting in a BIOMSS increase by 5% compared with the 15YA. The overall VCIx was high, with a value of 0.91. 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 October, 81.8% of the areas showed above-average crop conditions in the western and southern regions. CALF increased by 1% compared to the 5YA. The agroclimatic indicators were generally favorable.

Regional analysis

India is divided into eight agro-ecological zones: the Deccan Plateau (94), the Eastern coastal region (95), the Gangetic plain (96), the 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 three agro-ecological zones of the Deccan Plateau, the Assam and north-eastern regions, and the Western Himalayan region showed similar trends in agricultural indices. Compared to the same period of previous years, RAIN had decreased significantly, especially in the Western Himalayan region (-49%). The TEMP was slightly above average and RADPAR was above average, but the lower rainfall caused BIOMSS to be slightly lower than the 15-year average. CALF showed the same trends. They all were slightly above average (near+1%). The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of these three agro-ecological regions during this monitoring period was below the 5-year average in most months. Generally, the crop production is expected to be below average.

The Agriculture areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat and the North-western dry region recorded similar trends of agricultural indices in this monitoring period. Compared to the same period of the previous years, RAIN had increased significantly by 27% in the Agriculture areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat and by 68% for the North-western dry region. TEMP was slightly above average. The RADPAR was below average for both regions and compensated for the rainfall effect and caused an increase in BIOMSS. Both regions recorded increases of CALF. VCIx was above 0.90. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth for both regions was generally below the 5-year average. The crop production is expected to be below average.

The Eastern coastal region and the Western coastal region recorded similar trends of agricultural indices in this monitoring period. Compared to the same period of the previous years, RAIN had decreased by 20% in the Eastern coastal region and by 7% for the Western coastal region. TEMP was near average. The RADPAR was above average for both regions. BIOMSS was below the average due to insufficient rainfall. Both regions recorded increases of CALF. VCIx was above 0.70. 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 Gangetic plain recorded 1084 mm of RAIN, which was slightly below average (-5%). TEMP was at 27.4°C (+0.1°C) and RADPAR was at 1103 MJ/m² (-2%). BIOMSS was above the 15YA (+8%). CALF reached 98% which was slightly above average, and VCIx was 0.93. 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, July - October 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 (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, July - October 2021

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