No crops were cultivated in most of the country during this monitoring period, except for some minor winter crops planted in the southern regions. Crop production in Kazakhstan is mostly rainfed, as only 3% of the cropland is irrigated. According to the NDVI profiles, the national average NDVI values were higher than the average in October and then fell below 0.2 from November to January because of fallow, freezing conditions or snow.

Compared to the 15-year average, accumulated precipitation and temperature were above average (△RAIN +49%, △TEMP +2.8°C), while the radiation was below average (△RADPAR -6%). Dekadal precipitation was mostly above average during the report period, and was above the 15-year maximum in late October. The dekadal temperatures were above the 15-year maximum in late December and early January, and close to the 15-year maximum from October to November. The favorable agro-climatic conditions resulted in an increase in potential biomass (△BIOMSS +25%). The average national CPI was 1.94, indicating generally favorable conditions.

Overall, agro-climate conditions were favorable in the monitoring period. The abundant precipitation will improve the soil moisture greatly and create good conditions for the planting of spring wheat.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, four sub-national agro-ecological regions can be distinguished for Kazakhstan, among which three are relevant for crop cultivation: the Northern region (112), the Eastern plateau and southeastern region (111), and the South region (110).

In the Northern region, the accumulated precipitation was far above average by 65%. The temperature  (△TEMP +2.7°C)  also was above while the radiation (△RADPAR -9%)  was below average. The favorable weather conditions resulted in an increase of the BIOMSS index by 28%. 

In the Eastern plateau and southeastern region, the accumulated precipitation and temperature were above average (△RAIN +28%, △TEMP +2.7°C), resulting in an increase in the BIOMSS index by 22%.   

Inthe South region, the accumulated precipitation was above average by 11%, and the temperature was also above average (△TEMP +2.9°C). The combination of agro-climatic indicators resulted in an increase of the BIOMSS index by 12%. The agroclimatic conditions were favorable in the monitoring period.

Figure 3.24 Kazakhstan's crop condition, October 2023-January2024

  (a)  Phenology of major crops

 (b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

 (c) Rainfall profiles

(d)Temperature profiles

(e)Maximum VCI

(f)Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                      (g) NDVI departure proflies

(h) CPI time series graph

(i)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI(North region)

(j)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI(South region)

(k)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI(Eastern plateau and southeastern region)

Table 3.39  Kazakhstan agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, October 2023-January 2024.

Table 3.40 Kazakhstan,agronomic indicators by sub-national regions,current season's values and departure from 5AY,October 2023- january 2024.