As shown by the national NDVI development graph, no winter crops are normally cultivated in Kazakhstan;spring crops are currently at the sowing and vegetative stages. As described inthe section on disasters (section 5.2), Kazakhstan was—globally—one of the countries most severely affected by floods. In fact, during the reportingperiod, rainfall was above average by 23%, while temperature was average and PAR accumulation was 2% lower than average. The floods occurred from late Marchto mid-April and were due to the combined occurrence of rainfall and rapi dsnowmelt, affecting mostly four regions in central and eastern Kazakhstan(Akmola, Karaganda, Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan Oblasts). However, as aresult of the high rainfall, the biomass production potential is also up 17%compared to the average of the recent five years. Current NDVI profiles and values of maximum VCI are about average, but more favorable in the east and south.Because of the stored soil moisture, crop prospects are good.

Figure3.18. Kazakhstan crop condition, January-April2015

(a)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI                                 (b) Maximum VCI

(c)Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                                                       (d) NDVI profile