No crops were cultivated in most of the country during this monitoring period. Only some minor winter crops were grown in the southern regions. The proportion of irrigated cropland in Kazakhstan is only 3% and agro-meteorological conditions play a decisive role in the growth of crops. Compared to the 15-year average, accumulated rainfall was above average (RAIN +6%)，while radiation was below average (RADPAR -6%). Although the temperature was above average (TEMP+2°C), the average temperature value for the reporting period was below 0°C. The dekadal precipitation was below average in late January, early and late February and all of April. The dekadal temperature was generally above average except in mid and late March. It is noticeable that the temperatures warmed up to above 0°C in early April and stayed above average in April. The favorable agro-climatic conditions resulted in an increase of BIOMSS by 14%. According to the NDVI profiles, the national average NDVI values were lower than 0.1 because of freezing conditions from January to March. The average NDVI increased to above 0.2 in April due to the warming temperatures.

Above-average precipitation, a trend which had lasted from November to March, will be favorable for the sowing of spring wheat in May.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, four sub-national agro-ecological regions can be distinguished for Kazakhstan, among which three are relevant for crop cultivation: the Northern region (112), the Eastern plateau and southeastern region (111) and the South region (110).

In the Northern region, the accumulated precipitation was close to average, and temperature  was above average (TEMP +2.8°C), while RADPAR was below average (-8%) . The warm and wet weather resulted in an increase of BIOMSS by 16%. 

Agro-climatic conditions in the Eastern plateau and southeastern region were normal. The average rainfall and temperature were above average (RAIN +10%, TEMP +1.3°C). RADPAR was close to average. The favorable weather conditions led to an increase of potential biomass by 7%. Compared to the other regions, the higher CALF value (30%) indicated some agricultural activities in this region.  The NDVI profiles showed that the NDVI was below average in April, but similar to last year.

The South region had the largest precipitation departure (RAIN +22%) among the three regions. The temperature was above average (TEMP +2.3°C), while the solar radiation was below average (RADPAR -9%). The combination of agro-climatic indicators resulted in an increase of the BIOMSS index by 17%. 

Figure 3.23 Kazakhstan's crop condition, January - April 2022

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b). Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(c). Maximum VCI

(d). Rainfall profiles 

(e). Temperature profiles

(f) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                               (g) NDVI profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (North region)

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (South zone)

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Eastern plateau and southeastern region)

Table 3.39 Kazakhstan agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, January - April 2022

Table 3.40 Kazakhstan, agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, January - April 2022