The report covers the cessation of the rainy season. The dominant agriculture activity during this season was the harvesting of the maize, sorghum and legume crops (May - July) and planting of winter wheat (April-May) and horticultural crops. The observed annual rainfall was below the 15YA (RAIN -17%), the temperature increased (TEMP +0.9°C), and radiation also increased (RADPAR +5%). The potential biomass production increased as well (BIOMSS +4%). The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was at 99% with a VCIx value of 0.84. Conditions for crop production were below average due to the prevailing precipitation deficit, which had been observed during the previous monitoring period as well. 

Regional Analysis

Zambia is subdivided into four main crop production zones, namely the Northern high rainfall zone, Central-eastern and southern plateau, Western semi-arid plain and Luangwa Zambezi rift valley. The Northern high rainfall zone, which predominantly receives higher rainfall, had an increase in rain (RAIN +4%), and warmer temperatures (TEMP +0.7°C). Radiation also increased (RADPAR +3%), and the potential biomass production increased (BIOMASS +1%) as well. The observed cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was at 100% and VCIx was at 0.88. The Central-Eastern and Southern plateau, the main crop production region in the country, received reduced rainfall (RAIN -28%), which resulted in decreased biomass production (BIOMASS -1%). Cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was at 99%, while VCIx was 0.87. In the Western semi-arid plain, the rainfall deficit was much more severe (RAIN -77%). This resulted in reduced biomass production (BIOMASS -4%), because the predominantly sandy soils have a  low water holding capacity. Similarly, the Luangwa-Zambezi Rift Valley, the driest zone, also had a severe reduction in rainfall (RAIN -85%), increased temperature (TEMP +1.2°C), increased radiation (RADPAR +5%) and a reduction in potential biomass production (BIOMASS -18%). CALF was at 97% and VCIx at 0.79. At the regional level, the Crop Production Index (CPI) was above 1.0 except for Western semi-arid zone (CPI = 0.88).  

Table A: Country’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April - July 2023

Table B: Country’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, April - July 2023

Figure.A: Crop Phenology map

Figure.B: Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure.C: Time series rainfall profile

Figure.D: Time series temperature profile

Figure.E: Maximum VCI

Figure.F: Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles