As shown on the penology map, the main crops in Syria include wheat and barley. Sowing of these crops started in October.  The proportion of cropland (rain-fed and irrigated) in Syria is about 32.8% and regular rainfall is crucial for crop growth because of most of the cropland in Syria is rain-fed.

Compared to the 15-year average, accumulated rainfall was less than average (RAIN -48%) and radiation was also less than average (ΔRADPAR -2%). The temperature was above average (ΔTEMP +1.5°C). The average temperature value for the reporting period was 28.2°C. The temperatures were generally above average. The irregular rain, especially in irrigated land in the second and third regions, which also depend on supplemental irrigation, resulted in a decrease of BIOMSS by 4%. According to the NDVI profiles, the national average NDVI values were close to the 5YA. The national average VCIx was 0.44 and CALF was 8% (ΔCALF +22%).

Regional analysis:

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, five sub-national agro-ecological regions can be distinguished for Syria, among which three are relevant for crop cultivation: The first (a) (220) and first (b) region (221), the second region (222), the third (223) and the fourth region (219).

In the first region (b), the accumulated precipitation was less than average, and the temperature was above average in both (a, b) regions. The RADPAR was below average. The weather conditions resulted in a decrease of BIOMSS by 5% to 9%, while the national average VCIx values were not higher than 0.88 for the two regions. Compared to the other regions, the higher CALF values indicated more agricultural activities in this region; for the a) region, it was above its 5YA by 12% and for the b) region, it was up by 11%. According to NDVI profiles of the b region, crop conditions were close to the 5YA.

Agro-climatic conditions in the second, third and fourth regions were below 5YA. The rainfall was below average by more than 65%, whereas the temperatures were above average and RADPAR was below average. The low rainfall led to a decrease in potential biomass by 10%. The CALF values in the three regions increased significantly by more than 49%, but the CALF values for these regions were at low levels. The average VCIx values in the second region, the third region and the fourth region were 0.43, 0.29 and 0.23. According to NDVI profiles of the three regions, crop conditions were close to the 5YA.

Figure 1. Syria’s crop condition, Jul – Oct 2023 

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(c) Maximum VCI

(d) Rainfall profiles

(e) Temperature profiles

(f) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA

(g) NDVI profiles 

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (The first(a) region)

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (The first (b) region)

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (The second region)

(k) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (The third region)

(l) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (The fourth region)

(m) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Badia region)

Table 1. Syria agro climatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from July to October 2023

Table 2. Syria, agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, July to October 2023