The monitoring period covers the harvest of the monsoon season rice ("main rice") as well as the irrigated cool season "second rice", maize and wheat. According to CropWatch monitoring results, crop condition was generally close to the 5-year average during the monitoring period.

Compared with average, nation-wide rainfall was up 22%; temperature, sunshine were about average (TEMP -0.1°C, RADPAR, -1%) and the biomass accumulation potential if up (BIOMSS +24%). According NDVI development graphs crop condition was just below average, and exceeding it in January. Together with the high maximum VCI value (0.92) NDVI suggests that crop condition is satisfactory in Myanmar.

In regard to spatial distributions, the whole country went through an unfavorable situation during the monitoring period in terms of spatial NDVI patterns. The NDVI departure values remained negative all the time, while near to zero in late October, late December and early January. The maximum VCI map displays satisfactory condition for Myanmar, with high values in most of the country and relatively low values in a few areas in Sageing, Magwe and Mandalay.

Regional analysis

Based on the cropping system, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, three sub-national agro-ecological regions (AEZ) can be distinguished for Myanmar. They are the Coastal region, the Central plain, and the Hill region.

There is little difference between the three AEZ as far as agronomic indices are concerned. The CALF for three sub-national zones is 0.99 and 1% above the average, and VCIx values are above 0.90. The BIOMSS indices, however, displayed different increases over average: 38%, 19% and 22%, respectively.

The Coastal area is located in south-western Myanmar and cultivates mainly maize in Ayeyarwady Region, Yangon Region, Mon State, Tanintharyi Region and southern Bago Region. The Coast experienced the most favorable conditions among the three AEZs. Rainfall exceeded average by 31% and both Temperature and  sunshine were average (TEMP up 0.2℃). Crop condition was average.

The Central plain covers Magwe Region, Mandalay Region and northern Bago Region, the main rice growing areas in Myanmar. Agro-climatic conditions were not as favorable as in the other AEZs. Rainfall was above average (RAIN +13%) while temperature and sunshine was average (TEMP -0.2℃ and RADPAR -2%). The condition of crops was fair but below average locally.

In the West, North and East of Myanmar, the Hills  include Shan State, Kachin State, Sagaing Region, Chin State and Rakhing State. Maize is the main crop. Compared with average, rainfall and sunshine logically varied in opposite directions, while temperature was unaffected (RAIN +25%, TEMP -0.2℃ and RADPAR -1%). NDVI was low at the beginning of October, which may result from early harvest or from below average main rice. For the secondary crops, conditions are average.

Figure 3.30. Myanmar cropcondition, October 2018 - January 2019

(a) Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graphbased on NDVI

(c) Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA   (e) NDVI profiles

(f) Crop condition development graphbased on NDVI (Coastal region (left) and Central plain (right))

(g) Crop condition development graphbased on NDVI (Hill region)

Table 3.73. Myanmar agroclimaticindicators by sub-national regions,current season's values and departure from15YA, October 2018 - January 2019

Table 3.74. Myanmar agronomic indicatorsby sub-national regions, currentseason's values and departure from 5YA, October 2018 - January 2019