Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Afghanistan + 4 more

Crop monitoring in Central Asia: Apr - May 2008

Attachments

Extremely low winter wheat yield 2008 expectation for Iraq, and Afghanistan

Good meteorological conditions for winter wheat growth during April-May 2008 were observed in Caucasus countries, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. However due to unfavorable winter conditions, winter wheat status at the end of May 2008 is likely to be worse than in the previous year and than normal in the last three countries. Low amount of rain should affect last stages of wheat development in Iran, northern Afghanistan, and especially in Iraq. Remote sensing indicators show that vegetation status in wheat producing regions of these countries is worse than normal, and worse than in the previous season.

As a result of the analysis we expect extremely low wheat yield 2008 in Iraq, and some regions of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. Low winter wheat yield is expected for Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Normal or above normal winter wheat yield is expected for Caucasus countries, and Uzbekistan.

Amount of Precipitation

Precipitations were not sufficient for non-irrigated winter wheat growth in Iraq, Iran, and many regions of Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. The situation with precipitation for winter wheat growth was close to marginal for main cropping areas of Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. Optimal precipitations were observed in Caucasus countries, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and eastern Afghanistan.

Amount of precipitation during April-May 2008 was lower than long-term average in the most countries of the region. Higher than normal amount of precipitation was observed only in Georgia, Armenia, and in some regions of Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and Afghanistan.

The results of the precipitation analysis are summarized in the form of the map (see below). Maps showing amount of precipitation per dekad can be found in the Annex 1 at the last pages of the Bulletin.