This report mainly covers the second season (Yala) of Sri Lanka, including the growing and harvesting of rice and maize from July to September, as well as the main season (Maha) early sowing of the crops in October. According to the CropWatch monitoring results, crop conditions were assessed as slightly below average for the monitoring period.

During this period, the country experienced the Southwest-Monsoon from July to September and the Second Inter-monsoon in October, during which the whole island experienced wide spread rain with strong winds. At the national level, precipitation was significantly above the 15YA (RAIN +33%), temperature was near average (TEMP -0.1°C) while radiation experienced a minor increase (RADPAR +4%). The remarkable increase of rainfall in early July ensured sufficient water supply for the crops and further contributed to the good crop condition. The fraction of cropped arable land (CALF) was comparable to the 5YA. BIOMSS was up by 12% compared to the 15YA. As shown in NDVI development graph, NDVI was generally close to, yet below average during the period. The maximum VCI for the whole country was 0.93.

As shown by the NDVI clusters map and profiles, nearly half of country's cropland showed above-average crop condition while the rest showed unfavorable situation with negative NDVI departures. These croplands were mainly distributed along the west coast of the country, including Provinces of North Western, Western, Southern and Sabaragamuwa, as well as scattered areas over Provinces of Northern Central and Eastern. The maximum VCI showed high values around the country excepted for some areas along the east coast. 

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 (735 mm) was 23% above average. TEMP was 0.1°C below average and RADPAR was up by 4%, while BIOMSS increased by 16% as compared to the 15YA. CALF was near the 5YA level with 98% of cropland utilized. NDVI slightly fluctuated around the average. The VCIx for the zone was 0.91. Overall, crop conditions were near average for this zone.

For the Wet zone, RAIN (2958 mm) was 39% above average as compared to the 15YA. TEMP was average and RADPAR increased by 3%. BIOMSS was 3% above the 15YA and cropland was fully utilized. NDVI values showed significant deviation from average for the whole period. The VCIx value for the zone was 0.98. Crop conditions were below average for this zone.

The Intermediate zone also experienced sufficient rain (1563 mm) with a 39% increase from the 15YA. TEMP dropped by 0.2°C and RADPAR was 11% above average compared to the 15YA. With full use of cropland, BIOMSS was 2% above average. The NDVI values were similar to the whole country and the VCIx value for this zone was 0.96. Conditions of crops were close to average.

Figure 3.27. Sri Lanka crop condition, July–October 2021

(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, July – October 2021

Table 3.46. Sri Lanka agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA/5YA, July – October 2021