Winter wheat and rice are the main cereals that are grown in Afghanistan. Winter wheat was sown in October and November. Rice harvest took place in October and November.

The agro-climatic conditions showed that RAIN decreased by 2%, TEMP decreased by 0.3°C and RADPAR increased by 2%. However, rain was far below average until late December. The estimated biomass was near the average. The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) increased by 22%. According to the spatial distribution of NDVI profiles, the overall crop growth in Afghanistan was below the average level.  

From October to December, the drought in Afghanistan had a great impact, as it prevented the planting of wheat in most areas. As shown in the spatial NDVI profiles and distribution map, the growth of crops on 18.7% of the crop land area was lower than the average level and mainly distributed in eastern Afghanistan. Although eastern Afghanistan is an irrigated agricultural area, the irrigation facilities have been damaged or were not well maintained due to the war. Therefore, the growth of crops was lower than the average level. Additionally, about 49.2% of total cropped areas were slightly below average, mainly distributed in southern Afghanistan. Only 16.6% of the total cropped areas were positive during the entire monitoring period. The strong negative departures in January can be attributed either to snow or cloud cover in the satellite images. The heavy precipitation in January changed the situation from drought to flood in some parts of the country. The prolonged drought, which is the most severe in decades, together with the armed conflict, has caused very poor crop conditions. 

Regional analysis

CropWatch subdivides Afghanistan into four zones based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topography. They are described below as Dry region, Central region with sparse vegetation, Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region, and Mixed dry farming and grazing region.

The RAIN in the Central region with sparse vegetation was 92 mm (-21%). The TEMP was 0.1°C, and the RADPAR was 825 MJ/m², at an average level. According to the NDVI-based crop condition development graph, the NDVI was slightly lower than the average level between October and January. BIOMSS decreased by 12%, CALF had decreased by 4% and VCIx was 0.34.

The Dry region recorded 100 mm of rainfall (RAIN +8%), TEMP was lower than average at 6.7°C, and RADPAR was 868 MJ/m². According to the NDVI-based development graph, crop conditions were lower than the five-year average in the monitoring period. CALF in this region was only 1% and VCIx was 0.18.

In the Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region, the following indicator values were observed: RAIN 170 mm (-10%); TEMP 2.8°C (-0.2°C); RADPAR 734 MJ/m2 (+3%). BIOMSS decreased by 3% and CALF was 30% above average. According to the NDVI-based crop condition development graph, NDVI was close to the average level and VCIx was 0.83.

The Mixed dry farming and grazing region recorded 128 mm of rainfall (RAIN +26%). TEMP was 5.6°C (-0.1°C) and RADPAR was 789 MJ/m², near average levels. CALF was 0%. VCIx was 0.34 and BIOMSS increased by 8%. According to the crop condition development graph, the NDVI was much lower than the 5YA throughout the monitoring period.

Figure 3.5 Afghanistan’s crop condition, October 2021 - January 2022

(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 (central_Sparse_Veg Region (left) and Mixed_Farming_Graze Region (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Mixed_Dry_Irrigated Region (left) and Dry (right))

Table 3.1 Afghanistan’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, October 2021 - January 2022

Table 3.2 Afghanistan’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, October 2021 - January 2022