Winter and spring wheat are the main cereals sown in Afghanistan. Most winter wheat is grown in the northern border provinces and is harvested in May. Spring wheat was planted between March and April.

The proportion of irrigated cropland in Afghanistan is 54% and agro-meteorological conditions play an important role in the growth of almost half of the crops. Rainfall is note the major influential factor.

The agro-climatic conditions showed that RAIN decreased by 41%, TEMP increased by 2.2°C and RADPAR increased by 5%. Affected by the decrease of RAIN, BIOMSS decreased by 11%. The CALF decreased by 1%, and VCIx was 0.52.

Last year's drought resulted in a shortage of food and insufficient seed supply. Additionally, the poor economy has limited the farmers' ability to prepare the land and plant the crops. The actual areas of winter wheat are far lower than normal, and a large amount of farmland was left fallow. Short-term heavy rainfall in Kandahar and its north caused a flooding disaster in January. According to meteorological data precipitation was significantly above average and even reached a 15-year maximum in January. According to the spatial distribution of NDVI profiles, the overall crop conditions at the national level in Afghanistan were below average in January. As shown in the spatial NDVI profiles and distribution map, the growth of crops on 34.3% of the crop land area was lower than the average level, mainly distributed in central Afghanistan. Crop conditions in eastern Afghanistan that is under irrigation were also lower than the 5-year average due to the damaged irrigation facilities. 23% of the total cropped areas were positive, mainly in northern Afghanistan. However, 12.3% of the cropped land areas were below average after March due to the continuing drought conditions in March and April. Additionally, about 42.7% of total cropped areas were near average levels, mainly distributed in southern Afghanistan. Maximum VCI shows similar results. Overall, the prolonged drought and conflict led to the poor crop conditions. Prospects for crop production are unfavorable.

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 126 mm (-56%). The TEMP was 3.2°C (+3.3°C), and the RADPAR was 1052 MJ/m2 (+6%). According to the NDVI-based crop condition development graph, the NDVI was lower than the 5-year average level in January and February and then near the average level between March and April. CALF had increased by 7% and VCIx was 0.61.

The Dry region recorded 125 mm of rainfall (RAIN -44%), TEMP was higher than average at 11.1°C, RADPAR was 868 MJ/m2, and BIOMSS decreased by 15%. According to the NDVI-based development graph, crop conditions were lower than the 5YA during the monitoring period. CALF in this region was only 4% and VCIx was 0.28.

In the Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region, the following indicator values were observed: RAIN 248 mm (-42%); TEMP 5.2°C (+1.8°C); RADPAR 950 MJ/m2 (+7%); BIOMSS decreased by 8%. CALF was 6% above average. According to the NDVI-based crop condition development graph, NDVI was above the average level in the first three months, but crop conditions were below average after March due to the decreased rainfall, and VCIx was 0.70.

The Mixed dry farming and grazing region recorded 155 mm of rainfall (RAIN -30%). TEMP was 8.5°C (+2.2°C) and RADPAR was 1021 MJ/m2  (+4%). CALF was 8%. It had decreased by 17% compared to the 5YA. According to the crop condition development graph, the NDVI was much lower than the 5YA throughout the monitoring period. Crop conditions in this region were below average, and VCIx was 0.49.

Figure 3.5 Afghanistan’s crop condition, January -April 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, January -April 2022

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