Wheat, maize and rice are the main cereals that are grown in Afghanistan. The sowing of spring wheat starts in March and April and harvest is in August and September. Maize sowing starts in May and harvest is in August. Likewise, rice sowing starts in May/June but harvest is in October/November.

The agro-climatic conditions showed that RAIN increased by 147%, TEMP increased by 0.5°C, RADPAR decreased by 3% and BIOMSS increased by 21%. The CALF was only 7%, increased by 14%.

According to the last CropWatch bulletin, it was found that there was continuous drought from March to May, whereas some areas in the south had suffered from floods in July. During the monitoring period of this bulletin, heavy rains and floods occurred in Parwan and Nangarhar provinces in August. Thereafter, the dry conditions continued. The drought situation was particularly severe in northern Afghanistan. Due to the impact of extreme weather, the growth of crops was worse than in previous years. According to the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the NDVI was lower than that of last year and the 5-year average. Although the CALF was increased, the VCIx was only 0.25.

The spatial distribution of NDVI profiles show that 35% of the total cropped areas were close to the average level during the whole monitoring period. These areas are mainly distributed in the south and southeast of Afghanistan. The NDVI departure in 6% of the total cropped areas was positive, mainly distributed in the east of Afghanistan. About 57.4% of total cropped areas were slightly below average levels, mainly distributed in northern Afghanistan.  Maximum VCI shows similar results.

Overall, the Cropping Intensity had increased and overall agricultural production was slightly improving, although conditions continued to stay precarious exacerbating the conditions of famine.

Regional analysis

CropWatch subdivides Afghanistan into four zones based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topography. They are described below as Central region with sparse vegetation (1), Dry region (2), Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region (3), and Mixed dry farming and grazing region (4).

The RAIN in the Central region with sparse vegetation was 100 mm (+272%). The TEMP was 16.4°C (+1.4°C), and the RADPAR was 1396 MJ/m² (-4%). BIOMSS decreased by 45%. According to the NDVI-based crop condition development graph, the NDVI was lower than the 5-year average level during the entire monitoring period. CALF had increased by 8%, and the Cropping Intensity was 114. VCIx was 0.38.

The Dry region recorded 183 mm of RAIN (+661%), 22.6°C for TEMP (+1.1°C), 1372 MJ/m² for RADPAR (-8%), and 625 gDM/m² for BIOMSS (+62%). According to the NDVI-based development graph, crop conditions were lower than the 5YA during the monitoring period. CALF in this region was only 5% and VCIx was 0.24. The Cropping Intensity of this region was 122.

In the Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region, the CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that RAIN increased by 26%, RADPAR decreased by 1%, and BIOMSS increased by 4% compared to the 15YA. CALF was 10% above average. According to the NDVI-based crop condition development graph, NDVI was below the average level. The Cropping Intensity and VCIx in this region were 116 and 0.32, respectively.

The Mixed dry farming and grazing region recorded 2 mm of rainfall (RAIN -75%). TEMP was 20.7°C (+0.5°C) and RADPAR was 1461 MJ/m2 (-1%). CALF was 0%, it had decreased by 16% compared to the 5YA. According to the crop condition development graph, the NDVI was lower than the 5YA throughout the monitoring period, but above last year. The Cropping Intensity of this region was 104. Crop conditions in this region were below average, and VCIx was 0.13. 

Figure 3.5 Afghanistan’s crop condition, July-October 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 3.2 Afghanistan’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, July - October 2022

Table 3.3 Afghanistan’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, July - October 2022