The overall condition of crops was close to average in South-west China between July and October. The period coincides with the region’s harvest season for maize and single cropping rice and its planting season for winter wheat. The spatial NDVI patterns and profiles, as well as a VCIx in the range of 0.8 to 1.0, indicate favorable harvest prospects; crops in most of the region (82% of the area) were at an above average level. However, the NDVI profiles were below average in northern Yunnan and northwestern Guangxi, indicating a less favorable condition of maize in Yunnan and rice in Guangxi (as it is the harvest season there). Nearly all arable land was cropped, although the cropping intensity decreased by 11%, compared to the five-year average.

Figure4.12. Crop condition Southwest China region, July-October 2014