The current monitoring period covers the harvest of rabi rice and wheat in April, as well as the subsequent sowing of maize, kharif rice and soybean. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop conditions were close to or above the 5-year average before June. Presumably due to cloud cover in the satellite images, the NDVI shows a negative departure from the average trend starting in June.

The proportion of irrigated cropland in India is 50% and agro-meteorological conditions play an important role in the growth of almost half of the crops. The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that nationwide, TEMP and RADPAR were slightly above average, whereas RAIN was below the 15YA (-14%). The BIOMSS increased by 1% compared with the 15YA due to the abundant sunshine. The overall VCIx was low, with a value of 0.76. As can be seen from the spatial distribution, only parts of the southern and northern regions recorded high values. Most of India had low VCIx values. These spatial patterns of VCIx were thus generally consistent with those of NDVI. The southern and northern regions showed above-average crop conditions while the conditions were slightly below average in the central regions. The spatial distribution of NDVI profiles shows that before May, 45.1% of the areas had above-average crop conditions in the central and southern regions. CALF decreased by 8% compared to the 5YA. At the country level, conditions for crop production were close to normal.

Regional analysis

India is divided into eight agro-ecological zones: the Deccan Plateau (94), the Eastern coastal region (95), the Gangetic plain (96), the Assam and north-eastern regions (97), Agriculture areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat (98), the Western coastal region (99), the North-western dry region (100) and the Western Himalayan region (101).

The four agro-ecological zones of the Eastern coastal region, the Gangetic plain, Assam and north-eastern regions and Western coastal region showed similar trends in agricultural indices. Compared to the same period of previous years, RAIN had decreased significantly, especially in the Gangetic plain (-31%). The TEMP and RADPAR were slightly above average and BIOMSS was below the 15-year average. CALF differed among the four regions: It increased for the Eastern coastal region (+14%) and dropped for the Gangetic plain (-13%). The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of the four regions was close to or above the 5-year average in most of the period. It is worth noting that the sharp drop in June in the Western coastal region was caused by cloud cover in the satellite images. Generally, the crop production is expected to be near average.

The Western Himalayan region recorded 224 mm of RAIN, which was significantly below average (-61%), whereas TEMP and RADPAR wer above average (+2.8°C, +7%). BIOMSS was significantly below the 15YA (-20%) due to the low rainfall. CALF was 90% which was the same as the 5-year average, and VCIx was 0.94. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of this region during the monitoring period was close to the 5-year average. Cloud cover in the satellite images caused the sharp drop in June. Generally, the crop production is expected to be close to average.

The Deccan Plateau recorded 623 mm of RAIN, which was close to average. TEMP was at 31.5°C (+0.4°C), and RADPAR was above the 15YA at 1321 MJ/m² (+5%). BIOMSS was slightly above the 15YA (+4%). CALF was 60% which was a decrease over the 5-year average, and VCIx was 0.64. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of this region during the monitoring period was close to the 5-year average before June, then below average. Generally, the crop production is expected to be close to but below average.

The North-western dry region recorded 481 mm of RAIN, which was significantly above the average (+201%). TEMP was near average, and RADPAR was slightly below the 15YA (-1%). BIOMSS was significantly above the 15YA benefitting from abundant rainfall (+34%). CALF was only 7% which was a significant decrease over the 5-year average, and VCIx was 0.58. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of this region during the monitoring period was close to the 5-year average in most months. Generally, the crop production is expected to be near average.

The agriculture areas in Rajastan and Gujarat recorded a significantly increased trend of RAIN. TEMP was near average, and RADPAR was slightly above the 15YA (+2%). BIOMSS was slightly above the 15YA (+14%). CALF was 46% which was a decrease over the 5-year average, and VCIx was 0.70. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of this region during the monitoring period was below the 5-year average in most months, but slightly below average after June. Generally, the crop production is expected to be below average.

Figure 3.20 India's crop condition, April - July 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 (Deccan Plateau (left) and Eastern Coastal Region (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Gangetic Plains (left) and Assam and north-eastern regions (right))

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Agriculture areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat (left) and Western Coastal Region (right))

(k) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (North-western dry region (left) and Western Himalayan Region (right))

Table 3.31. India’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April - July 2022

Table 3.32. India’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, April - July 2022