The crops in Indonesia generally showed average condition from October to January, with the maximum VCI (VCIx) value on the national level reaching 0.97. The period covers the harvesting stage of the dry season maize and rice, while wet season crops are currently in the field. Compared with the recent average, precipitation was average (RAIN, +1%), while temperature was slightly below average (TEMP, -0.6°C) with cloudiness causing a drop in sunshine (RADPAR, -5%). BIOMSS increased by 3% compared to the recent five-year average. The area of cropped arable land (CALF) was comparable to the five-year average.Due to persistent cloudiness and very wet weather, however, the NDVI values of most pixels are invalid. This leads to unrealistically low values in the national NDVI profiles compared to the recent five-year average and last year’s level during the whole monitoring period.

Regional analysis

For more spatial detail, CropWatch also prepares regional analyses for three agro-ecological zones (AEZ)  within the country, covering the main islands groups: Sumatra; Java (the main agricultural region in the country); and Kalimantan-Sulawesi. 

Crop condition was similar in Sumatra and Kalimantan-Sulawesi. Both islands experienced very mildly dry conditions, with a 2% decrease of rainfall below average, temperature was average (-0.7°C and +0.4°C compared with the average in  Sumatra, and Kalimantan-Sulawesi,respectively , and a drop in sunshine (RADPAR, -4%);  the biomass production potential showed a slight increase compared to the recent five-year average. According to the NDVI clusters, crop condition was slightly above average in most area of the two islands, while the NDVI profile dropped below average from mid-December in Kalimantan Barat and Bangka Belitung.

As the main agricultural region in the country, the agroclimate condition in Java is of special relevance compared to other regions in the country. The crop condition in Java is more favorable than in other islands of the country. Rainfall in Java was above average by 5%, temperature decreased by 0.6°C below average, and radiation was much below average (11%). Due to the abundant rainfall in the monitoring period, the biomass production potential increased by 9% compared to the recent five years. The NDVI profile of Java from October to December is nearly the same as its five-year average, except some abnormal values caused by cloudiness. The VCIx for Java is 0.97.

Altogether, although the NDVI profiles showed poor crop growth condition, there is no other clear evidence that unfavourable conditions have affected crops in Indonesia.

Figure 3.15a. Indonesia phenology of major crops

Figure 3.15b. Indonesia national level crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the October 2017-January 2018 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum 

Figure 3.15c.  Indonesia VCI for October 2017-January 2018  by pixel

Figure 3.15d.  Indonesia spatial NDVI patterns up to January 2018  according to local cropping patterns and compared to the 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVI profiles (right)

Figure 3.15f. Sumatra(Indonesia) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.15g. Java(Indonesia) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.15h. Kalimantan and Sulawesi (Indonesia) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Table 3.32. Indonesia agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2017-January 2018

Table 3.33. Indonesia agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's value and departure from 5YA, October 2017-January 2018