The South and Southeast Asia MPZ includes India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. This monitoring period covers the growth and harvest period of summer rice, maize, and soybean.

According to the agroclimatic indicators, the temperature and the RADPAR were slightly above the average (ΔTEMP +0.6℃, ΔRADPAR +2%). Meanwhile, the accumulated precipitation was moderately above the 15YA (ΔRAIN +5%). Suitable conditions of solar radiation, precipitation, and temperature led to an increase in the potential biomass production (ΔBIOMSS +2%). Compared with the 5YA, the CALF increased by 1% to 98%. In most areas of the MPZ, crops were cultivated. In addition, VCIx of the MPZ was 0.94, indicating that the crops were growing well.

During the observed period, favorable climate and optimal farming practices halted the CPI decline. Quantitative analysis shows CPI in the MPZ returned to baseline and approached the 5YA.The production of crops is expected to be better than in previous years and close to the 5YA.

According to the spatial distribution of rainfall profiles, the precipitation for 8.1% of the MPZ (mainly in northern India) was significantly above the 15YA in early July and approaching the average in mid-July. Additionally, for 5.1% of the MPZ, mainly in northeastern India, the precipitation was below or significantly below the 15YA until late September, when it approached the average. On the contrary, the precipitation in 8.2% of the MPZ (western and eastern India, and southern Bangladesh), was above or significantly above the 15YA, while also approaching the average in late September and maintaining it after that. Throughout the entire monitoring period, the precipitation fluctuated slightly above the 15YA for 19.2% of the MPZ (central India and northern Vietnam). In most of the MPZ, the precipitation was close to the average.

Based on the spatial distribution of temperature profiles observed throughout the entire monitoring period, it was found that the average temperature in 2.3% of the MPZ, specifically in Nepal, was significantly above the 15YA. Moreover, the average temperature in 16.8% of the MPZ, which includes eastern and southern India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, was slightly above the average. The average temperature in 40.8% of the MPZ (southern India, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam) was close to the average. The average temperature in 27% of the MPZ (mainly in northern India and Bangladesh) slightly fluctuated around the average during the monitoring period. Additionally, the average temperature in 13.1% of the MPZ (mainly in western and southeastern India) was below the 15YA during the monitoring period but slightly above the average in late September and late October.

The BIOMASS departure map displays that the potential biomass in the southeastern and northwestern parts of India was 20% greater than the 15YA for the same period. In contrast, the potential biomass in eastern and southern India, central Myanmar, northern Thailand, and central Vietnam was below the average. The Maximum VCI shows that the index was only applicable to scattered areas with a value less than 0.5, which was related to cropland being left fallow or late planting of rice (uncropped areas in Fig. 2.4e). The VHI Minimum map shows that most of the MPZ was temporarily impacted by drought, except for western and southern India, and some scattered regions. The CALF map indicates that almost all cultivated land was planted with crops.

In general, the crop conditions in the MPZ are expected to be favorable.

Figure 2.4 South and Southeast Asia MPZ: Agroclimatic and agronomic indicators, July 2024 to October 2024

a.Spatial distribution of rainfall profiles  b.Profiles of rainfall departure from average (mm)

c.Spatial distribution of temperature profiles  d.Profiles of temperature departure from average (℃)

e.Cropped and uncropped arable land

f.Potential biomass departure from 5YA

g.Maximum VCI

h.VHI Minimum

i.CPI

Table 2.1 Agroclimatic indicators by Major Production Zone, current value and departure from 15YA(2024-3)

Table 2.2 Agronomic indicators by Major Production Zone, current season values and departure from 5YA(2024-3)