The reporting period covers the growth and maturity stages of summer crops, including late rice, semi-late rice and maize. Their harvest was followed by the sowing of winter wheat on some fields. Overall, crop condition was almost close to the 5-year average except for a few periods.

On average, rainfall and solar radiation were above the 15-year average (RAIN +18%, RADPAR +2%). Temperature was close to average (TEMP +0.3°C). The resulting BIOMSS was 7% above average mainly due to the above-average rainfall. The cropped arable land fraction remained at the same level as in the last five years, which indicated the crops planted area was generally normal for this period.

According to the NDVI departure clustering map and the profiles, NDVI values were close to average in most regions. In northeastern Sichuan and eastern Guizhou, the NDVI values were average during the monitoring period.  Chongqing experienced similar conditions, except for July. Rainfall was significantly above average in Chongqing and Sichuan (RAIN +30%) which benefited crops there. Average to above-average NDVI values in September and October were observed in Yunnan, where radiation and precipitation were both above average (See Annex A.11). The maximum VCI reached 0.97, indicating that peak conditions were comparable to the last five years. All in all, crop condition was generally average.

Figure 4.16 Crop condition China Southwest region, July-October 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