The current monitoring period covers most of the wheat and winter (Rabi) rice growing periods. Harvest for both crops was mostly completed by the end of April, while maize and summer (Kharif) rice were harvested by January. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop conditions were favorable.

The proportion of irrigated cropland in India is 50%. However, most crops grown during this monitoring period were irrigated.  The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that nationwide, RAIN and RADPAR were slightly below average (-7% and -1%, respectively), whereas TEMP was near the 15 year-average (-0.2°C). The estimated BIOMSS increased by 3% compared with the 15YA. The overall VCIx was high, with a value of 0.83. As can be seen from the spatial distribution, only the Northwestern region recorded values below 0.80, and most of India had high VCIx values. These spatial patterns of VCIx were thus generally consistent with those of NDVI. The northern and central regions showed close to and above-average crop conditions, while the conditions were slightly below average in the eastern regions. The spatial distribution of NDVI profiles shows that 33.3% of the areas, mainly located in the northern and southwestern regions had below-average crop conditions throughout the monitoring period. From late February to April, 66.7% of the areas showed close to and above-average crop conditions in south-eastern and central regions. CALF increased by 5% compared to the 5YA. The CPI was 1.10, indicating that the crop conditions were generally 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 three agro-ecological zones of the Deccan Plateau, the Eastern coastal region and the Agriculture areas in Rajastan and Gujarat showed similar trends in agricultural indices. Compared to the same period of previous years, RAIN was above average, especially in the Deccan Plateau (+120%), whereas the RADPAR and TEMP were slightly below average. BIOMSS was above the 15-year average, benefitting from the abundant rainfall. CALF was above average in all three regions. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth was close to or above the 5-year average for most of the period. The CPI was above 1.00, indicating that the crop production situation was expected to be near or above average.

The Assam and north-eastern regions and the Western coastal region showed similar trends in agricultural indices. Compared to the same period of previous years, RAIN was below average by 20%, but RADPAR was slightly above average, TEMP was near average. The BIOMSS was below the 15-year average due to the low rainfall. CALF was close to average. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of the two regions was below the 5-year average for most of the period. The CPI was below 1.00, indicating that the crop production situation was below average.

The Gangetic plain recorded 45 mm of RAIN, which was below average (-20%). TEMP was close to average (-0.1°C), and RADPAR was slightly below the 15YA (-2%). BIOMSS was below the 15YA (-5%) due to low rainfall and sunshine. CALF was 89% which was 1% lower than the 5-year average, and VCIx was 0.85. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of this region during the monitoring period was below, but very close to the 5-year average during the entire period. All in all, the conditions were average.

The North-western dry region recorded 32 mm of RAIN, an increase by 135%. TEMP was slightly above average (+0.2°C), whereas the RADPAR was below the 15YA (-4%). BIOMSS was significantly above the 15YA (+11%), benefitting from the abundant rainfall. CALF was 19% which was above average, and VCIx was 0.85. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of this region during the monitoring period was above the 5-year average in most months, and the CPI was 1.07, indicating that the crop conditions were favorable.

The Western Himalayan region recorded 300 mm of RAIN, which was below average (-13%), and TEMP was significantly above average (+0.9°C), whereas the RADPAR was slightly below average (-1%). Estimated BIOMSS was as the 15YA. CALF was 87% which was the same as the 5-year average, and VCIx was 0.78. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of this region was close to or below the 5-year average. All in all,  the overall crop production situation was close to average.

Figure 3.20 India's crop condition, January - April 2023

(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 pofile    

(g) Time series temperature pofile 

(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, January - April 2023

Table 3.32. India’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, January - April 2023