Bangladesh is located in a humid climate region. Rice is by far the preferred cereal, followed by maize and wheat. Dry season irrigated Boro rice and wheat crops were harvested during the reporting period (April- July). The Field preparation and planting of monsoon rice (Aus and Aman) was done during the reporting period.

Nationwide crop condition based on NDVI graphs was slightly below the average of the last 5 years, the 5-year maximum as well as the previous season (2017). NDVI peaked in April and decrease from the middle of May till July.

The Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA showed a reduction of the vegetation cover in the east and an improvement in the west, especially in June and July. VCIx varied between 0.8 and 1,  indicating good production prospects. 

Regional analysis

Bangladesh is divided into four Agro-ecological zones (AEZ) or regions: Coastal region, Gangetic plain, the Hills and the Sylhet basin.

The Coastal region received high rainfall (1539mm, 23% above average) and TEMP was 29°C (-1.1°C). RADPAR reached 968 MJ/m2 a very significant drop of -10.6% below average. The increase of rainfall resulted in 24% higher than 5YA BIOMASS accumulation potential. High NDVI, CALF at 0.8 % and VCIx at 0.9 indicated higher production in general.

The Gangetic plain region received a high amount of rain (1424mm, 23% over average) and TEMP dropped 1.5 °C below average, while RADPAR was down 8 %. CALF (90 %) and VCIx at 0.9 with BIOMASS up to 17% (against 5YA) indicate good crops.

The Hills region precipitation amounted to 1985 mm (11% higher than average. TEMP was cooler by -1.4°C and RADPAR was 5 % below average. The BIOMASS reached 2355 gDM/m2 and was 3 % above the 5YA. The CALF did not change relative to the 5YA and VCIx was high at 0.9 which indicates good production.

The Sylhet basin region recorded the highest precipitation in Bangladesh (2225 mm) up 29% above average, with below average TEMP at 27.7°C (-1.3°C) and a below average RADPAR (902 MJ/m2 or -5%). The BIOMASS was higher than the average (+10%) and CALF increased 2% higher than 5YA. Together with a VCIx value of 0.9, crop prospects are favorable.

CropWatch puts the production estimate of Maize and Rice 4% and 6% above the output of the 2017 season.

Figure 3…. Bangladesh’scrop condition, April-July 2018.

Table . Bangladesh’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from15YA, April-July 2018

Table 3  Bangladesh’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, April-July 2018.

Table 3 CropWatch-estimated rice and Maize production for Bangladesh in 2018 (thousand tons).