The present monitoring period covers the sowing and growing period of rice and maize, and part of the growing and harvesting period of wheat. The percentage of irrigated cropland in Turkey is 19.8%, and agrometeorological conditions play an important role in the growth of most crops. Nationwide, RAIN in Turkey is 36% lower than the last 15-year average comparison, while both average temperature (TEMP)(+0.1°C) and RADPAR (+1.6%) are slightly higher than the last 15-year average. BIOMASS was 14% below average. The low RAIN in the cropland, which in turn led to a decrease in BIOMASS.

The Crop condition development graph based on NDVI indicated that crop growth conditions were slightly below average throughout the monitoring period. The best vegetation condition index (VCIx) for the whole country was 0.74. The mean VCIx value for the Black Sea region was 0.91 and some areas had VCIx values higher than 1.0, indicating that crop growth in this region was close to the average. The VCIx values in other regions are lower than 0.8, indicating that the crop growth is inferior to the average.

In terms of the NDVI spatial departure clustering map, the results confirmed the spatial pattern described above. Due to the impact of low rainfall in April and May, strong negative departures of NDVI were observed. As shown by the VHIn graph, some areas went through dry conditions in the reporting period starting in April. Due to the severe drought, crop conditions were below average for Turkey.

Regional analysis

The regional analysis includes four agro‐ecological zones (AEZ): the Black Sea area, Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia and Marmara Aegean Mediterranean lowland zone.

In the Black Sea area, overall crop growing conditions were slightly below average. The rainfall was below average (-16%) and the temperature (TEMP) decreased by 1.0°C. The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was 97%, which is comparable to the average. VCIx had a high mean value of 0.91, the highest of all four agroecological zones in Turkey. The crop harvest was estimated to be close to normal.

Crop growth in the Central Anatolia region was below average during the current monitoring period. Cumulative precipitation in this agroecological zone was 31% lower than average during the present monitoring period. the temperature (TEMP) (-0.1°C) and RADPAR (+1%) were close to the 15-year average. The BIOMSS decreased by 12% due to the decrease in precipitation. The VCIx in the region averaged 0.71 and CALF was 16% below average. Crop yields are expected to be below average.

In the Eastern Anatolia region, crop growth was generally below average through mid-July. Rainfall was 48% below average and was the most severe of the four agroecological zones. the temperature (TEMP) and RADPAR were 0.5°C and 3% above average, respectively. The reduction in precipitation compromised crop growth and resulted in an 18% reduction in BIOMSS. CALF was reduced (-7%) compared to the average of the last 5 years. The average VCIx for the region is 0.79 and crop yields are predicted to be below average.

NDVI-based crop growth process lines show slightly below-average crops in the Marmara Aegean Mediterranean lowland zone regions. Rainfall is 44% below average, and the temperature (TEMP) and RADPAR are 0.5°C and 1% above average, respectively. the VCIx value is 0.71 and CALF is slightly lower (-8%). Yields in the region are expected to be below average.

Figure 3.46 Turkey’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) Time series rainfall profile                                   (g) Time   series temperature profile
(h) Crop condition development graph based on   NDVI (Black Sea region (left) and Central Anatolia region (right))
(i) Crop condition development graph based on   NDVI (Eastern Anatolia region (left) and Marmara_Agean_Mediterranean lowland   region (right))
(j) Proportion of NDVI anomaly categories compared with 5YA
(k) Proportion of VHIm categories compared   with 5YA

Table 3.69 Turkey’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April-July 2022

Table 3.70 Turkey’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, April-July 2022