The reported period marks the beginning of the dry season after the main rainfed crops have been harvested and farmers are busy with marketing of their farm produce. The dry spells experienced earlier has led to a reduction in crop yields and the area sown under the main rainfed crops. Because of the cessation of the rainy season, most of the vegetation is drying and the fields are uncropped. The farmers are expected to be busy preparing fields for the next season commencing in October in Northern Zambia and November in Central and Southern Zambia.

Rainfall was seasonally low (32 mm) during the reported period, and with average temperature of 23.4°C (0.3°C below average) and sunshine (RADPAR=1357 MJ/m2) slightly below average (-2.4%). The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was at 0.53 (5YA Departure: +34.7%) most of which is in the wetlands and along rivers and streams. However, fields under rainfed condition are bare after the harvests. The VCIx map as index of crop condition showed average VCIx of 0.87 with the cropping intensity of 103 (5YA Departure: +2%) which are related to either irrigated crops (sugarcane, wheat and horticulture crops) or wetlands (important for wildlife and livestock grazing). The main cereal crop in the field is irrigated wheat which was planted late May and is expected to be harvested in September and October. 

These climatic conditions indicated a generally favorable across the country showing a good share of cropped arable land the onset of the rains was poor during the season. However food insecurity is expected to intensify in southern parts of Zambia that were most affected by the dry spell.

Sub-national details

In order to provide additional detail on spatial differences, Zambia was subdivided into four major agroecological zones, namely the Northern high rainfall zone, the Central Zambia Plateau, the Luanguwa Zambezi rift valley as well as the Western semi-arid plain.  All are currently seasonally dry  and will start planting maize as their main cereal  from October and November. They normally record very little rainfall during July to October.   

Figure a: Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Zambia

Figure b: Maximum VCI

Figure c Spatial distribution of NDVI profiles

Figure.X Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Luangwa Zambezi rift valley

Figure.X Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Northen high rainfall zone

Figure.X Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Western semi-arid plain

Figure.X Crop condition development graph based on NDVI_Central, Eastern and Southern Plateau