Rice, wheat and maize, are the major grain crops in India. The Rabi (winter) rice and wheat crops were harvested during the reporting period (April- July). The Field preparation and planting of Kharif (Summer) rice  and maize were completed.

On average, the country received "good" monsoon rains (RAIN, +17%). The departure from average ranged between 5% and 31%. The country TEMP was 0.4°C below average and RADPAR was 4% below average. BIOMSS increased 10% but CALF was 21 % below the 5YA with an average VCIx of  0.7.

National NDVI profiles indicate that crop condition was slightly lower than the average of the last 5 years and the same period of 2017. The pattern generally repeats itself in all sub-regions in the country. Three States recorded a sudden drop in NDVI in July: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. The same States as well as Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana recorded VCIx between 0.5 and 0.8. Other states mostly recorded values of VCIx between 0.8 and 1.

Overall, the production of maize, wheat, and soybean was lower than the last year by 0.6%, 2.3%, and 5.3% respectively. Rice production increased by as much as 6 % over 2017 output.

Regional analysis

India has been divided into seven zones: the Deccan plateau, the Eastern coastal region, the Gangetic plains, the Northeastern region, the Western coastal region, the Northwestern dry region and the Western Himalayan region.

The Deccan Plateau region recorded 819mm of RAIN (+31% relative to average), 31.6°C TEMP (-0.2°C) and 1176 MJ/m² RADPAR (-2%).  BIOMASS increased 15% in the region which also recorded low NDVI. The CALF fell as much as 40 % below 5YA and VCIx was 0.7.

The Eastern coastal region received rainfall 17% higher than the average and TEMP was 0.8℃ lower. The RADPAR of 1140 MJ/m² (3 % lower than the average) and BIOMASS of was 10% above 5YA. The region recorded 6% lower than average cropped area and a VCIx of 0.8 indicating moderate crop condition. 

In the Gangetic region precipitation amount was 774mm (21% higher than 15YA). TEMP was cooler with 0.8°C and RADPAR was 6 % below average. The BIOMASS reached 1475 gDM/m2 and it was 10 % above the 5YA. The CALF was lower than 5YA (-24 %) and VCIx was high as 0.7.

The Assam and Northeastern region recorded the highest precipitation in India (1749mm), an increase of 7% over the average, with slightly below average TEMP at 25.9°C (-0.3°C) and above average RADPAR of 966 MJ/m2 (1 %). The BIOMASS was slightly lower than the average (-2%) and CALF was the same as 5YA. Crop condition was good with VCIx at 0.9.

The Western coastal region received 6% higher than average rainfall, average TEMP (-0.5℃ compared to 5YA) and RADPAR of 1063 MJ/m² (-3%). This region had 12% higher than average BIOMASS. The CALF was 4% lower than 5YA but crop condition was satisfactory at 0.9 VCIx.

The Northwestern region recorded the lowest rainfall value in India (493mm, but higher than average by 30%) and near average TEMP and low RADPAR (-6%). The BIOMASS was higher than the average (11%). The CALF drop was very large (68% lower than 5YA) and crop condition with below average  at 0.5 VCIx.

The Western Himalayan region received rainfall of 510mm (5% above average) and average TEMP was recorded. RADPAR reached 1249 MJ/m2 (-8.6%). The BIOMASS was higher than 5YA with 6%. The CALF at -2.5 % and VCIx at 0.8 indicate good production in general.

                     Figure 3….. India’s crop condition, April-July 2018

                                                                    (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 profiles

(f) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Deccan Plateau (left) and Eastern Coastal Region (right))

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Gangatic Plains (left) and North Eastern Region (right))

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Western Coastal Region (left) and Western Dry Region (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Western Himalayan Region)

Table 3…. India’s agroclimaticindicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from15YA, April-July 2018

Table 3…. India’s agronomicindicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from5YA, April-July 2018

Table 3…. CropWatch-estimated Maize,rice, wheat and Soybean production for India in 2018(thousand tons).