National analysis

The October 2022 - January 2023 monitoring period covers the growing period of rice and maize, while the harvest of wheat concluded in October. Based on NDVI, the crop conditions in Angola were below the average of the past 5 years during most of the monitoring period. These conditions can be attributed to below-average rainfall (663 mm), which was 25% lower than the 15YA. Although the temperature recorded a slightly positive change (TEMP +0.1ºC) and the photosynthetic active radiation was near the average of the past fifteen years, the estimated biomass production decreased by 8%. The decrease in biomass production may have been caused by the rainfall deficit, which, even though it occurred across most of the country, was more severe in the coastal strip and lower southern regions.

The effects of the rainfall deficit are also revealed when analyzing the NDVI departure clustering map, which indicates below-average crop conditions in 62.5% of the cropped area during the entire monitoring period. The regions with relatively poor crop conditions include the provinces of Cunene, Namibe, Huíla, Benguela, and Huambo. Despite these poor conditions, 17.6% of the cropped area across the country registered above-average crop conditions, especially in the provinces of Zaire, Bengo, and Cuanza Norte. While the mean vegetation condition index (VCIx) was 0.87, the cropped arable land fraction (CALF) increased by 3%. The cropping production index (CPI) was 1.12. Mostly depending on the rainfall, the crop conditions across the country were generally close to favorable, apart from the drier Semi-arid zone and Central Plateau. 

Regional analysis

Considering the cropping systems, climate zones and topographic conditions, CropWatch has divided Angola into five agroecological zones (AEZs), including the Arid zone (5), Central Plateau (6), Humid zone (7), Semi-arid zone (8), and Sub-humid zone (9).

During the monitoring period, compared to the 15-year average, cumulative rainfall in the country's agroecological regions decreased. These decreases were 36% in the Semi-arid zone, 32% in the Central Plateau, 24% in the Semi-humid zone, 16% in the Arid zone, and 5% in the Humid zones. Positive temperature anomalies were recorded especially in the Semi-arid zone (TEMP +0.4ºC). The RADPAR had a slight increase of 1% in the Humid zone and a negative anomaly of 2% in the Arid zone. These elements negatively impacted the total biomass production, which, except for the Humid zone (BIOMSS 0%), decreased in the Semi-arid zone (-12%), Arid zone (-9%), Sub-humid zone  (-6%), and Central Plateau zone (-5%).

Based on NDVI crop development profiles, crop conditions were slightly unfavorable in most agroecological zones during the monitoring period. In the Semi-arid zone, better crop conditions (above average) were observed from early October to late November. Subsequently, they decreased. The CALF had a positive anomaly in all agroecological zones, except for the Humid zone while the maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx) was situated between 0.80 and 0.95. The positive changes in CALF were recorded in the Arid zone (+24%), Central Plateau (+4%), Semi-arid zone (2%), and Sub-humid zone (3%).

Figure 3.6. Angola's crop condition, October 2022 - January 2023

(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

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI - Arid zone (left)

(g) National time-series temperature profiles                                                   (f) National time-series rainfall profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI - Arid zone (left) and Central Plateau (right)

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI - Humid zone (left) and Semi-arid zone (right)

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI-Subhumid zone

Table 3.3. Angola’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2022 - January 2023

Table 3.4. Angola’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, October 2022 - January 2023

Table 3.5. Angola’s crop production index, October 2022 - January 2023