During the monitoring period covered by this report, the primary crops cultivated in Afghanistan included maize, rice, spring wheat, and winter wheat. Winter wheat harvest was completed in June and spring wheat will be ready for harvest in August. Maize was sown in May, with its growing season extending through June and July. Rice was planted in May and June.

The agro-climatic conditions during the reporting period indicated that the recorded RAIN was 223 mm, which was 22% above the 5YA. The average TEMP during the reporting period was recorded at 19.2°C, slightly below the 5YA by 0.2°C. RADPAR was 1538 MJ/m², reflecting a 5% decrease compared to the 5YA. BIOMSS, estimated at 665 gDM/m²,  was 3% above the 5YA. The CALF, at 10%, represented a 26% decrease compared to average values. The VCIx was recorded at 0.58, and the CPI was calculated at 0.86.

Throughout the monitoring period, 41.3% of the cropland, predominantly located in the southern provinces of Kandahar and Helmand, as well as the central province of Ghor in Afghanistan, exhibited crop growth at or near average levels. In other cultivated areas, crop growth displayed significant variability during the monitoring period. Notably, 35% of the cropland showed a marked recovery in crop growth, particularly in the northern regions of Afghanistan that were heavily affected by the flooding in April. From May onwards, over half of the cultivated land experienced above-average crop growth, accounting for 65.1% of the cropland. By July, about 41.7% of the cropland exhibited slightly below-average crop growth.

In the monitoring period, crop conditions steadily improved and the NDVI-based crop condition development graph showed that national crop growth reached average levels starting in May. Overall, the gradual recovery of cultivated lands previously affected by floods, due to improved climatic conditions, was a positive indicator for agricultural production. The recovery in crop growth presents an encouraging sign for the agricultural sector.

Regional analysis

CropWatch subdivided Afghanistan into four zones based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topography. They are described below as Central region with sparse vegetation (1), Dry region (2), Mixed dry farming and irrigated cultivation region (3), and Mixed dry farming and grazing region (4).

During the reporting period, the Central region with sparse vegetation, recorded a total RAIN of 177 mm, which was 15% above the average. Notably, mid-April witnessed a significant precipitation event, with RAIN reaching 96 mm, surpassing the 15-year maximum for this period. The average TEMP for the region was recorded at 15.5°C, which was 1.0°C higher than the average. RADPAR was measured at 1539 MJ/m², representing a 5% decrease compared to the average. BIOMSS was estimated at 566 gDM/m², reflecting a 1% increase above the average. The CALF was reported at 12%, showing an 11% rise compared to average values. According to the NDVI-based crop condition development graph, crop growth was below average levels in April but reached average levels starting from May. The VCIx for the region was 0.72. The CPI was calculated at 1.15, indicating that crop growth in this region approached normal levels.

During the reporting period, the Dry region experienced a significant increase in RAIN, totaling 175 mm, which was 109% above the average. The average TEMP was recorded at 22.9°C, slightly higher than the average by 0.3°C. RADPAR was measured at 1575 MJ/m², reflecting a 5% decrease compared to the average. BIOMSS reached 688 gDM/m², indicating a 10% increase above the average. The CALF was reported at 6%, representing a 13% rise compared to average values. According to the NDVI-based crop condition development graph, crop growth was below average levels in April but improved to above average levels starting from May. However, the VCIx was recorded at 0.52, indicating poor crop conditions in this area. The CPI was calculated at 0.90.

In the Mixed Dry Farming and Irrigated Cultivation region, the recorded RAIN was 317 mm, which was 2% above the average. The average TEMP was 16.6°C, slightly below the average by 0.5%. The RADPAR reached 1497 MJ/m², and the BIOMSS was 691 gDM/m², which was 1% lower than the average. The CALF was 16%, significantly lower by 27%. The NDVI-based crop condition development graph indicates that crop growth was below average in April but returned to average levels starting in May. The VCIx was 0.57, and the CPI was 0.85, signaling unfavorable agricultural conditions in this region.

In the Mixed Dry Farming and Grazing Region, the recorded RAIN was 112 mm, which was 61% above the average. The average TEMP was 20.2°C, slightly below the average by 0.5°C. RADPAR reached 1566 MJ/m², representing a 5% decrease compared to the average. BIOMSS was recorded at 621 gDM/m², showing a 5% increase from the average. However, the CALF was only 4%, but the fraction of cropland is small in this grazing region. According to the NDVI-based crop condition development graph, crop growth remained below average levels. The VCIx was recorded at 0.62, and the CPI was 0.79, both of which point to unfavorable agricultural conditions in this region.

Figure 3.5 Afghanistan’s crop condition,  April- July 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 departure profiles

(f) Rainfall profiles                                                                                                                              (g) Temperature profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (central_Sparse_Veg Region (left) and Mixed_Farming_Graze Region (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Mixed_Dry_Irrigated Region (left) and Dry (right))

(j) CPI time series graph

Table 3.1 Afghanistan’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA,  April- July 2024

Table 3.2 Afghanistan’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA,  April- July 2024