In Bangladesh, the growing and harvesting of Aman rice took place in this reporting period. The sowing of Boro rice and wheat was also completed. For the whole nation, both rainfall and TEMP were above average (+46% and +0.2℃, respectively). RADPAR was close to average. BIOMSS was above average (+4%). The high precipitation in early October was beneficial to the growth of Aman rice. Heavy rainfall in mid-November slightly impacted the harvest of rice, but it also increased soil moisture, combined with the favorable weather after November, the planting of rice and wheat was successfully completed. The national NDVI development graph shows that overall crop conditions were below the 5-year average before early November due to the heavy rainfall and then returned to the 5-year average. According to the spatial NDVI pattern, about 39.6% showed favorable conditions after November distributed in Western Bangladesh. Crop conditions were slightly below average for most other areas of the country during the entire reporting period. The maximum Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx) was 0.84, with most areas showing values higher than 0.8 and CALF was close to average. Crop Production Index (CPI) stood at 0.91. Overall, the CropWatch indicators as well as the VCIx map indicate average crop conditions in Bangladesh.

Regional analysis

Bangladesh can be divided into four agro-ecological zones (AEZ): Coastal region, the Gangetic Plain, the Hills, and the Sylhet basin.

In the Coastal region, both RAIN and TEMP were above average (+59% and +0.4℃, respectively). RADPAR was close to average. BIOMSS was above average (+8%). Heavy rainfall in October and November affected the harvest and sowing of crops. The crop condition development graph based on NDVI showed that crop conditions were below the 5-year average except at the end of December and early January. CALF was 91% and VCIx was 0.81. Crop Production Index (CPI) was 0.88. Overall, crop conditions were close to the average for this zone.

In the Gangetic Plain, RAIN was greatly above average (+51%). TEMP was also above average (+0.4℃). RADPAR was close to the average. BIOMSS were below average (-3%). The crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows that crop conditions were below the 5-year average and returned to the average in December. During the monitoring period, CALF (97%) was above average and VCIx was 0.85. Crop Production Index (CPI) was 0.92. Crop conditions of this region were close to the average.

The Hills experienced a smaller increase in rainfall (+16%) compared with other regions. RADPAR was close  average, but TEMP was below average (-0.2℃). BIOMASS was above average (+9%).  During the monitoring period, the crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows that crop conditions were close to average and even reached the 5-year maximum in late December. CALF was 98% and VCIx was 0.87, Crop Production Index (CPI) was 0.89, indicating average crop conditions.

In the Sylhet basin, above-average rainfall (+48%) and average temperatures were recorded. RADPAR was below average (-1%). BIOMSS was estimated 6% higher than the 15YA. The crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows that crop conditions were close to the 5-year average except for early December and late January. For the Sylhet basin, CALF was 91% with a favorable VCIx (0.85). Crop Production Index (CPI) was 0.91. Based on the above information, crop conditions were close to the average for this zone.

Figure 3.9 Bangladesh’s crop condition, October 2023- January 2024

(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 (left) and rainfall profile (right) of Coastal region

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left) and rainfall profile (right) of Gangetic plain

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left) and rainfall profile (right) of Hills

(k) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (left) and rainfall profile (right) of Sylhet basin

(l) National CPI time series

Table 3.9 Bangladesh’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, October 2023- January 2024

Table 3.10 Bangladesh’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, October 2023- January 2024