During the reporting period, the growing and harvesting of Aman rice and the sowing of Boro rice, maize and  wheat were the main farming activities. For the whole nation, both rainfall and TEMP were below average (-6% and -0.4℃, respectively). RADPAR was below average (-2%). However, sufficient rainfall in October provided abundant soil moisture, which was conducive to the growth of Aman rice, and BIOMSS was above average (+4%). After October, the dry weather facilitated the completion of rice harvest and sowing. The national NDVI development graph shows that overall crop conditions were above the 5-year average in early October due to the abundant rainfall and then returned to the 5-year average from November to January.  The maximum Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx) was 0.95, with most areas showing values higher than 0.8 and CALF had increased by 2%. Overall, the CropWatch indicators as well as the VCIx map indicate average crop conditions in Bangladesh.

Regional analysis

Bangladesh can be divided into four agro-ecological zones (AEZ): Coastal region, the Gangetic Plain, the Hills, and the Sylhet basin.

In the Coastal region, both RAIN and TEMP were below average (-8% and -0.1℃, respectively). RADPAR was also below average (-3%). But abundant rainfall in the middle of October was beneficial to the growth of rice. BIOMSS was above average (+5%). The crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows that crop conditions were above the 5-year average in the middle of October and then returned to average. CALF was 91% and VCIx was 0.89. Overall, crop conditions were close to the average for this zone.

In the Gangetic Plain, RAIN was above average (+25%). Both TEMP and RADPAR were below the average (-0.7℃ and -2%, respectively). BIOMSS were above average (+7%). The crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows that crop conditions were close to the 5-year average except November. During the monitoring period, CALF (97%) was above average (+1%) and VCIx was 0.94. Crop conditions of this region were close to the average.

The Hills experienced the largest drop in rainfall (-32%). RADPAR was also below average (-2%), but TEMP was above average (+0.4℃). BIOMASS was close to average.  During the monitoring period, the crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows that crop conditions were close to average and even reached the 5-year maximum in January. CALF was 98% and VCIx was 0.96, indicating average crop conditions. 

In the Sylhet basin, below-average rainfall (-16%) and cooler temperatures (-0.6℃) were recorded. RADPAR was close to average. BIOMSS was estimated 2% higher than the 15YA. The crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows that crop conditions were above the 5-year maximum in October and then decreased to average from November to January. For the Sylhet basin, CALF was 95% (+5%) with a favorable VCIx (0.97). Based on the above information, crop conditions were close to the average for this zone.

Figure 3.9 Bangladesh’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 (left) and rainfall profile (right) of Coastal region

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left) and rainfall profile (right) of Gangetic plain

(j)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left) and rainfall profile (right) of Hills

(k)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left) and rainfall profile (right) of Sylhet basin

Table 3.10 Bangladesh’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, October- January 2022

Table 3.11 Bangladesh’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, October- January 2022