This monitoring period covers the growing and harvesting periods of maize and rice, as well as the harvesting period of wheat. The sowing of winter wheat for the next season starts in September. The annual percentage of irrigated farmland in Turkey is 19.8% and rainfall is an important factor limiting crop growth. During the monitoring period, rainfall (RAIN) was 30% lower, average temperature (TEMP) was 0.6°C higher, solar radiation  (RADPAR) was 0.8% higher, and overall, potential biomass (BIOMSS) was 8% lower than the 15YA. During the monitoring period, especially in late July, when the crops were in their peak growth period, low precipitation led to poor crop growth and consequently low BIOMSS.

The NDVI-based curves show that crop growth was slightly below average throughout the monitored period. The maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx) for the whole country was 0.76, while the VCIx for most of the Black Sea region was close to 1.0, indicating good crop growth in this region, and the VCIx for the eastern Anatolia region and some parts of the Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean regions was below 0.5, indicating poor crop growth.

The NDVI curves were consistent with the results of the NDVI spatial clustering map. The vegetation health index map shows that the drought conditions eased in June and July, but further worsened after August. Overall, drought conditions, which were prevalent since April, have eased, but still exist, and crop growth was slightly below average.

Regional analysis

The regional analysis includes four agro‐ecological zones (AEZ): the Black Sea region (180), Central Anatolia (181), Eastern Anatolia (182) and Marmara Aegean Mediterranean lowland zone (183).

Crop growth in the Black Sea region was close to average, rainfall (RAIN) was 23% lower compared to average, average temperature (TEMP) was 0.1°C lower, and solar radiation (RADPAR) was  average. Cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was 95%, which was 1% higher compared to the average. The VCIx value was 0.89, which was the highest among the four zones. The cropping Intensity (CI) was 119, which was 15% higher than the average. The crop production index (CPI) was 1.1, indicating good crop growth. Overall, crop growth was generally close to the average.

 In the Central Anatolian region, rainfall (RAIN) was 13% lower compared to the average, mean temperature (TEMP) was 0.5°C higher, photosynthetically active radiation (RADPAR) was close to the average, maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx) was 0.78, and cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was 38%, 11% above the average. The Cropping Intensity (CI) was 109, which was 6% higher than the average, and the potential biomass of crops (BIOMSS) was 2% lower.. The crop production index (CPI) was 1.1, indicating good crop growth. Overall, regional crop growth was on par with the average.

The Eastern Anatolia region had 67% lower rainfall (RAIN) than the average, 1.7°C higher mean temperature (TEMP), 5% higher photosynthetically active radiation (RADPAR) than average, and 18% lower potential biomass (BIOMSS) affected by low precipitation, the lowest of the four divisions. The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was 48%, which was 7% higher. The maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx) value was 0.74, and the Cropping Intensity (CI) was 104, which was the same as the average. The crop production index (CPI) was 1.1, indicating good crop growth. Overall, crop growth was below average.

The overall crop growth in the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean lowland regions was below average, with a 5% lower biomass potential (BIOMSS), a 21% reduction in rainfall (RAIN), a 0.6ºC increase in mean temperature (TEMP) as compared to the 15YA. Whereas photosynthetically active radiation (RADPAR) was at the same level as the average. The maximum Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx) value was 0.71 and the cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was 4% lower, reaching 55%. The Cropping Intensity (CI) was 115, which was 8% higher. The crop production index (CPI) was 0.99, indicating average crop growth. Crop growth in the region is expected to be slightly below average.

Figure 3.41 Turkey’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) 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 3.74 Turkey’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, July-October 2022

Table 3.75 Turkey’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, July-October 2022