2.5 South and Southeast Asia

Over the recent reporting period, crops in this MPZ were at varying phenological stages. In Bangladesh for example, the period corresponds with the planting and growing stages of Aman rice and the harvesting of the Aus rice crop. In Cambodia, it was the time for planting of main wet season rice and the growing or harvesting of the maize crop. In India, the period covered Kharif season crops and in particular the planting, growth, and harvest of rice, maize, and soybean; the period also corresponded with the planting of wheat in the country. In Myanmar, it was planting time for maize and wheat, as well as the time to grow and harvest the main rice crop. Meanwhile in Thailand, the period covered the planting, growing, and harvesting of the main rice crop, as well as the harvesting of maize. It was also the major rice season for all rice types in Vietnam except spring and winter rice.

Across the MPZ, the region received 16% above average rainfall (RAIN), marginally lower than average temperatures (TEMP, -0.1°C), and a more significant shortage of sunshine as measured by RADPAR (-4%), providing mostly fair growing conditions for crops. All countries in the MPZ received higher than average precipitation, except for Cambodia where RAIN was -2%. Rainfall (RAIN) in other countries was as follows, as compared to the average for the same period of the year: Bangladesh +49%, India +16%, Lao People's Democratic Republic +9%, Myanmar 9%, Nepal +10%, Thailand +12%, and Vietnam +17%. Similarly, most of the countries had marginally lower than average temperature. RADPAR levels were rather poor in Bangladesh (-12%) and Vietnam (-8%), but closer to average in Cambodia (RADPAR, -3%), India (-3%), Lao PDR (-5%), Myanmar (-4%), Nepal (-4%), and Thailand (-3%). Higher than average BIOMSS is expected almost everywhere (with the exception of Nepal where BIOMSS is -2%) as a direct consequence of high rainfall; BIOMSS values by country are: Bangladesh +16%, Cambodia +1%, India +6%, Lao PDR 6%, Myanmar +3%, Thailand +8%, and Vietnam +9%.  

Agronomic indicators for the MPZ show mostly healthy crops when assessed with the VCIx and CALF indicators. Most of the countries had VCIx values of 0.8 or above, except for a few patches in India and the scattered occurrence of low VCIx in Thailand and Vietnam. Similarly, the CALF indicator shows that most of the agricultural land in the MPZ has been cropped during the season, except for some patches in India, one patch in Myanmar, and some scattered places in Myanmar and Thailand. The spatial distribution of BIOMSS indicates favorable conditions in Bangladesh, Lao PDR, and Thailand. Lower than average BIOMSS values are restricted to small areas in Myanmar and Vietnam, while some larger areas are affected in Cambodia and Nepal. In India, positive and negative BIOMSS values coexist, with values favorable in the south and east and unfavorable in the north and northwest. Scattered low VHI values occur throughout the MPZ. For an overview of flood impacts in the region, see the section on disasters in Chapter 5. 

Overall, the MPZ presented good cropped area (0.8 and above was cultivated), favorable VCIx, and good--though sometimes excessive--rainfall, average temperature, and locally poor sunshine. Production is expected to be fair to good.

Figure 2.4a. S. and SE Asia MPZ spatial distribution of rainfall profiles (left) and profiles of rainfall departure from average (mm) (right), July-October 2017

Figure 2.4b. S. and SE Asia Asia MPZ spatial distribution of temperature profiles (left) and profiles of temperature departure from average (°C) (right), July-October 2017

Figure 2.4c. S. and SE Asia MPZ maximum VCI, July-October 2017  

Figure 2.4d. S. and SE Asia MPZ cropped and uncropped arable land, July-October 2017

Figure 2.4e. S. and SE Asia MPZ biomass accumulation potential departure, July-October 2017

Figure 2.4f. S. and SE Asia MPZ VHI minimum, July-October 2017

Figure 2.4g. Cropping intensity, November 2016 - October 2017