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 value was below the five-year average from January to early March, while from late March to late April, NDVI values gradually improved to above average levels.

Compared to the 15-year average, accumulated precipitation and temperature were above average (△RAIN +7%, △TEMP +1.5°C), while the radiation was below average (△RADPAR -3%). Dekadal precipitation was mostly above average during the report period, and was above the 15-year maximum in early February. The dekadal temperatures were mostly close to or  above the 15-year average. The favorable agro-climatic conditions resulted in an increase in potential biomass (△BIOMSS +12%). The average national CPI was 1.06, indicating overall good crop growth conditions.

Overall, the agrometeorological conditions during the monitoring period were favorable. Adequate precipitation will largely improve soil moisture and create favorable 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 (△RAIN +6%) and the temperature (△TEMP +2.2°C) were above average , radiation(△RADPAR -5%)   was below average. The favorable weather conditions resulted in an increase of the BIOMSS index by 18%.  NDVI values were above average at the end of April, indicating good prospects.

In the Eastern plateau and southeastern region, some winter crops were grown in this reporting period. The accumulated precipitation and temperature were above average (△RAIN +8%, △TEMP +0.1°C), radiation (△RADPAR -1%) was lower than average. The biomass was slightly below average by 1%.  The NDVI profiles showed that NDVI values were above average from March to the end of April.  The CPI value was 1.27, indicating good crop conditions in this region. 

In the South region, no crops were cultivated during the mornitoring season. The accumulated precipitation was above average by 13%, and the temperature was also above average (△TEMP +0.7°C), radiation (△RADPAR -1%) was below the average. The combination of agro-climatic indicators resulted in an increase of the BIOMSS index by 5%. The agroclimatic conditions were favorable in the monitoring period.

Figure 3.23 Kazakhstan’s crop condition, January2024-April2024

(a)Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(c)  Maximum VCI

(d) Rainfall Index 

(e) Temperature Index 

(f) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                   (g) NDVI profiles

(h)CPI

(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 3.1 Kazakhstan agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, January2024-April2024

Table 3.2 Kazakhstan, agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, January2024-April2024