Myanmar cultivates maize, rice (two seasons) and wheat as its main crops, which are distributed across the eastern mountains, central plains and the western coastal areas. The monitoring period exactly covers the harvesting season of maize. The second rice was still growing in the first two months and was harvested from March. The wheat maturity was reached in February. CropWatch assesses crop condition throughout the country as generally comparable to the average of the previous five years.

Precipitation (RAIN), temperature (TEMP) and radiation (RADPAR) were all somewhat above average (+1%, +0.3°C and +4%, respectively) with the crop arable land fraction (CALF) increasing by 2% compared to the 5-year average. BIOMSS is up 1%. The crop condition development graph based on NDVI shows a favorable situation: average in January, close to the 5-year maximum in February, followed by a sight decline in March and April.  Similar fluctuations of crop condition can also be seen in NDVI profiles of the agro-ecological regions described in the regional analysis below. During the monitoring period, the maximum VCI value for the whole country is 0.94.

In terms of spatial distributions, most of cropland across the country displayed good condition except for several patches in the Central Plain and the western coast of Tanintharyi Region. Arable land with above average NDVI (36.1% of cropland) occurs in northern Ayeyarwady Region, Yangon Region, east of Bago Region and clustered areas around Sagaing Region and Magwe Region. Slightly below average NDVI occurred in southern Sagaing Region, Magwe Region, Mandalay Region and west of Shan State (36.6% of cropland).  The VCIx map displays a similar spatial distribution pattern of  high values all over the country, accompanied by low values in scattered locations.

Regional analysis

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

The Coastal region is located in south-western Myanmar and cultivates mainly maize. The Coast experienced the most favorable conditions among the three AEZs, which was also the case during the previous ONDJ period. Rainfall exceeded average by 22% and both temperature and radiation were slightly above average(TEMP up 0.2℃, RADPAR up 4%). CALF is 4% above the 5-year average. Crop condition is also above average for the region, of which the biomass displays an increase of 13% over average and the maximum VCI value reaches 1.03, indicating outstanding crops.

The Central plain is the main rice growing area in Myanmar, covering several Regions such as Magwe, Mandalay and northern Bago. Agro-climatic conditions were roughly similar to those in the Coastal region. Rainfall is above average (RAIN +13%) with both temperature and radiation above average as well (TEMP 0.3℃ and RADPAR 4%). The CALF reached  70%, 1% over average, and the biomass raises 8% compared to 15-year average. The condition of crops is fair with maximum VCI of 0.88.

Maize is the main crop in the Hills region (States of Shan, Kachin, Chin and Rakhing and Sagaing Region). Compared with the other two AEZs, rainfall varies in the opposite direction while temperature and radiation remain comparable: RAIN -11%, TEMP -0.2℃ and RADPAR 4%. Affected by relatively poor conditions, the biomass declines by 6%. However, crop condition remains average according to NDVI profiles and the high maximum VCI value (0.99).

Figure 3.30. Myanmar crop condition, January 2019 - April 2019

(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) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Coastal region (left)and Central plain (right))

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Hill region)

Table 3.73. Myanmar agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, January 2019 - April 2019

Table 3.74. Myanmar agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA/5YA, January 2019 - April 2019