This report covers the second season (Yala) sowing for rice and maize in June and July. According to the CropWatch monitoring results, crop conditions were normal for the period from April to July.

This period is dominated by the south-western monsoon, which is active between May and September. At the national level, precipitation (RAIN +9%) and temperature (TEMP +0.3℃) experienced a slight increase, while radiation decreased (RADPAR -4%) as compared to the 15YA. The increase in rainfall mainly happened in May. The fraction of cropped arable land (CALF) remained nearly comparable to the 5YA. BIOMSS was also comparable to the 15YA. As shown on the NDVI development graph, NDVI values were slightly below-average during April and were always near average from May to July. The below-average NDVI values in April can be regarded as a carry-over from the relatively poor crop conditions observed in the last monitoring period. The maximum VCI for the whole country was 0.98.

As shown by the NDVI clusters map and profiles, the trends were quite similar across the island. The whole country showed below-zero NDVI departure values in April. Nevertheless, most of the cropland showed better crop condition with NDVI departure values increasing and even above zero starting in May. 4% of cropland showed a large decline of NDVI values in early July, as well as the 12.5% of cropland in late July - although this may have been an outlier to due cloud cover. These croplands were distributed mainly in the southwest part of the country, including Western Province, west of Southern Province and south of Central Province. Moreover, 28.5% of cropland showed consistent below-zero NDVI departure values for the entire period. These croplands were distributed throughout the whole country except for the southwest region.

Regional analysis

Based on the cropping system, climatic zones and topographic conditions, three sub-national agroecological regions can be distinguished for Sri Lanka. They are the Dry zone, the Wet zone, and the Intermediate zone.

In the Dry zone, the recorded RAIN (440 mm) was 4% above average and amounted to more than 3 mm per day, which was close to the water demand of the growth of maize in this region. TEMP was 0.2°C above average with RADPAR down (-5%) and BIOMSS increased by 1% as compared to the 15YA. CALF was 1% up compared to the 5YA level and cropland was near fully utilized. NDVI followed a similar trend as the whole county. The VCIx for the zone was 0.96. Overall, crop conditions were average for this zone.

The Wet zone continued to go through the rainy season during this monitoring period. RAIN (2070 mm) was up by 11% as compared to the 15YA. TEMP (+0.5°C) was higher and RADPAR was near average. BIOMSS was comparable to the 15YA and cropland was fully utilized as usual. NDVI followed a similar trend as the whole county. The VCIx value for the zone was 0.99. Crop conditions were favorable for this zone.

The Intermediate zone also experienced  abundant rain  (RAIN 1060 mm), 16% above the 15YA. This is more than 8 mm per day and is more than sufficient for rice and maize. TEMP was up by 0.1°C and RADPAR down by 5% compared to the 15YA. With full use of cropland, BIOMSS was 2% below average. The NDVI values fluctuated around the average. The VCIx value for the zone was 1. Condition of crops was assessed as average.

Figure 3.27. Sri Lanka crop condition, April 2020 - July 2020

(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(Dry zone (left) and Wet zone (right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Intermediate zone)

Table 3.45. Sri Lanka agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, April 2020 - July 2020

Table 3.46. Sri Lanka agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA/5YA, April 2020 - July 2020