The current monitoring period covers the end of the grainfilling stage and harvest of Kharif (summer) maize, rice and soybean, and the planting and early growth of Rabi (winter) rice and wheat. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop conditions were below average in general, and close to average after December. 

The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that nationwide, RAIN and RADPAR were above average (+4% and +2% respectively), whereas TEMP was slightly below the 15YA (-0.2°C). The increased RAIN and RADPAR compensated for the lower temperatures, resulting in a slight BIOMSS increase by 1% compared with the 15YA. The overall VCIx was high, with a value of 0.88. As can be seen from the spatial distribution, only the Northwestern region recorded values below 0.80 and most of India had high VCIx values. These spatial patterns of VCIx were thus generally consistent with those of NDVI. The northern and central regions showed close to and above-average crop conditions while the conditions were slightly below average in the eastern regions. The spatial distribution of NDVI profiles shows that 56.8% of the areas had below-average crop conditions in the eastern and southern regions throughout the monitoring period. From late November to January, 43.2% of the areas showed above-average crop conditions in northern and central regions. CALF increased by 1% compared to the 5YA. The CPI was 1.05 indicating that the agroclimatic indicators were generally normal.

Regional analysis

India is divided into eight agro-ecological zones: the Deccan Plateau (94), the Eastern coastal region (95), the Gangetic plain (96), the Assam and north-eastern regions (97), Agriculture areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat (98), the Western coastal region (99), the North-western dry region (100) and the Western Himalayan region (101).

The three agro-ecological zones of the Deccan Plateau, the Gangetic plain and the Agriculture areas in Rajastan and Gujarat showed similar trends in agricultural indices. Compared to the same period of previous years, RAIN was above average, especially in the agriculture areas in Rajastan and Gujarat (+45%), and RADPAR was slightly above average, but the TEMP was slightly below average. BIOMSS was above the 15-year average benefitting from the abundant rainfall. CALF was average in all of the three regions. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth was close to or above the 5-year average in most of the period. The CPI was above 1.00 indicating that the crop production situation was expected to be near average.

The North-western dry region and the Western Himalayan region showed similar trends in agricultural indices. Compared to the same period of previous years, RAIN and TEMP were above average, but RADPAR was below average. The BIOMSS was below the 15-year average due to the low sunshine. CALF was above average. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of the two regions was close to the 5-year average in most of the period. The CPI was above 1.01 indicating that the crop production situation was near average.

The Eastern coastal region recorded 366 mm of RAIN, which was slightly above average (+3%). TEMP was close to average (+0.2°C), and RADPAR was above the 15YA (+1%). BIOMSS was above the 15YA (+4%) benefiting from abundant rainfall and sunshine. CALF was 99% which was higher than the 5-year average, and VCIx was 0.86. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of this region during the monitoring period was close to the 5-year average in most of the period. Cloud cover in the satellite images caused the sharp drop in December. The CPI was 1.09, indicating that the crop production situation was expected to be near average.

The Assam and north-eastern regions recorded 323 mm of RAIN, which was below average (-3%). TEMP was below average (-0.5°C), and RADPAR was above the 15YA (+5%). BIOMSS was significantly below the 15YA (-9%) due to the low rainfall and temperature. CALF was 96% which was on average, and VCIx was 0.88. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of this region during the monitoring period was below the 5-year average in most months indicating that the crop production situation was slightly unfavorable.

The Western coastal region recorded 342 mm of RAIN, which was slightly below average (-2%), and TEMP was slightly below average (-0.4°C), whereas the RADPAR was slightly above average (+1%). BIOMSS was above the 15YA (+3%) benefitting from the above average sunshine. CALF was 99% which was above the 5-year average (+3%), and VCIx was 0.86. The graph of NDVI development shows that the crop growth of this region during the monitoring period was close to or below the 5-year average. Cloud cover in the satellite images caused a sharp drop in December. The CPI was 1.09 indicating that the crop production situation was expected to be close to average.

Figure 3.20 India'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 profiles

(f)  Rainfall profiles      

(g) Temperature profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Deccan Plateau (left) and Eastern Coastal Region (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Gangetic Plains (left) and Assam and north-eastern regions (right))

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Agriculture areas in Rajasthan and Gujarat (left) and Western Coastal Region (right))

(k) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (North-western dry region (left) and Western Himalayan Region (right))

Table 3.31. India’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2022 - January 2023

Table 3.32. India’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, October 2022 - January 2023