Myanmar produces maize, rice (two seasons) and wheat as its main crops. They are predominantly grown across the eastern mountains, central plains and the western coastal areas. This monitoring period covers the early sowing season of maize and wheat from September to October, as well as the growing season (July to September) and the early harvesting season (October) of the main rice crop. CropWatch assesses crop condition during this monitoring period as slightly below-average in general.

Temperature (TEMP) as well as radiation (RADPAR) were somewhat above 15YA (+0.2°C and +5%, respectively), while precipitation (RAIN) experienced a slight decrease (-3%). As shown in the NDVI development graph, crop condition was below the 5YA but close to the condition of the previous year during July and August, which is the growing season of wheat; NDVI returned to average  values from September. BIOMSS underwent a 5% rise compared to average. The crop arable land fraction (CALF) increased by 1% as compared to its 5YA. The maximum VCI value for the whole country was 0.97. Crop condition is assessed as average.

Crop condition underwent marked spatial variations according to the NDVI cluster and profile maps. 19% of cropland had continuously above average crops, in the States are Yangon, eastern Bago and southern Sagaing. 26.4% of cropland showed negative NDVI departure lower than -0.15 in July but recovered to average from August in Mandalay and eastern Magwe. Crop condition in the States of eastern Bago, Kayin, Mon and Tanintharyi was below-average during the whole period. The VCIx map shows values between 0.5 and 0.8 over Mandalay and high values in other regions. 

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 Hills region.

The Coastal region experienced a rainy period with sufficient RAIN (1864 mm,  4% below average). TEMP and RADPAR increased by 0.2℃ and 7%, respectively. BIOMSS increased by 7% in parallel with CALF rising 1%. The cropping intensity was 181%, 20% higher that the 5YA, indicating near double cropping for the region. NDVI was below average in late July and late August. The maximum VCIx was 0.97 for this region. The crop condition is fair in general.

In the Central plain RAIN (1043 mm) was 8% down compared to average while TEMP and RADPAR both increased, by 0.3℃ and 5% respectively. BIOMSS and CALF were up 1% and 5% over average. The region was generally near single cropping during the monitoring period with cropping intensity was 116%, which is close to the recent average. NDVI was near the level of the previous year during the whole period. The maximum VCIx was 0.96 for the region. The crop condition is assessed as similar to the previous year but below 5YA.

Similar to the Coastal region, the Hills region had an abundant RAIN (1707mm) and abundant sunshine with normal temperature (TEMP +0.1℃ and RADPAR +5%), similar to the Central plain. With the fully used cropland, BIOMSS was 5% up compared to average. The cropping intensity for the region was 158% and increase by 8% compared to 5YA, representing a mixture of single and double cropping. The maximum VCIx was 0.99 and the crop condition for the region was possibly below-average.

Figure 3.30. Myanmar crop condition, July 2019 - November 2019

(a) Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(c) Rainfall profile

(d) Temperature profile

(e) Maximum VCI

(f) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA   (g) NDVI profiles

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

(i) 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 from15YA, July 2019 - November 2019

Table 3.74. Myanmar agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, July 2019 - November 2019