During this monitoring period in Mozambique, maize and rice harvesting concluded in April in the central regionin and in late May in the northern region. Wheat harvesting nationwide was completed by late June. This period coincided with the transition from the wet to the dry season. El Niño had caused drought conditions during the previous monitoring period, which continued to impact crop growth during the current period. Rainfall was 30% below the 15YA. There were increases in temperature and photosynthetically active radiation, by 1°C and 1%, respectively. These factors collectively contributed to an 18% decrease in total biomass production. This is also indicated in the NDVI trendline, which showed that crop conditions were consistently below the five-year average throughout the monitoring period.

Despite these unfavorable agroclimatic conditions, 38.9% of the cropped land had crop conditions above the five-year average, particularly in the provinces of Gaza (with irrigated areas), Inhambane, and Zambézia. Nationwide, the Cropped Area Land Fraction (CALF) was consistent with the five-year average, and with a maximum Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) of 0.91, the Crop Production Index (CPI) was also around the average. All in all, crop conditions were below average, especially in the Northern High-altitude areas and the Lower Zambezi River basin.

Regional Analysis

Based on the national cropping system, topography, and climate, CropWatch has subdivided Mozambique into five agroecological zones (AEZs) including the Buzi basin (140), Northern High-altitude areas (141), Lower Zambezi River basin (142), Northern coast (143), and the Southern region (144). 

Regionally, all agroecological zones experienced decreases in rainfall, ranging from 24% in the Low Zambezi River Basin to 39% in the northern high-altitude areas. Significant temperature increases were observed in the Buzi Basin (+1.4°C), the Low Zambezi River Basin (+1.1°C), and in other areas (+1°C). Similarly, photosynthetically active radiation increased across all agroecological zones, with the northern high-altitude areas showing the highest increase of 5%. Total biomass production decreased in all agroecological zones, with reductions ranging from 8% to 13%. The regional NDVI graph indicated below-average crop conditions across all agroecological zones. Agronomic indicators showed a slight increase in CALF by 1%, while the maximum VCI ranged from 0.83 to 0.97. A slightly below-average CPI was observed in the Buzi Basin.

Figure 3.35 Mozambique's crop condition, January - April 2024

(a) Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop conditions development based on NDVI                                                  (c) Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA.            (e) NDVI departure profiles

(f) National teme-series rainfall profiles                                                                    (g) National time-series temperature

(h) National crop production index (CPI)

(h) Crop conditions development graph based on NDVI - Busi basin (left), and Northern high-altitude areas (right)

(i) Crop conditions development graph based on NDVI - Lower Zambezi River basin (left), and Northern coast region (right)

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI - Southern region

Table 3.61. Mozambique's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April - July 2024.

Table 3.62. Mozambique's agronomic indicators by subnational regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April - July 2024.