This report mainly covers the main season (Maha) of Sri Lanka, including the sowing and growing of rice and maize from October to January. According to the CropWatch monitoring results, crop conditions were assessed as close to, but slightly below average for the monitoring period.

During this period, the country experienced the Second Inter-monsoon from October to November and the Northeast-Monsoon after that, during which the whole island experienced wide-spread rain with strong winds in the first two months and followed by cold and dry windy weather. At the national level, precipitation was above the 15YA (RAIN +9%), and temperature (TEMP +0.2°C) and radiation (RADPAR +7%) were also above average. The remarkable increase of rainfall in October and November 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 4% 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 0.94.

As shown by the NDVI clusters map and profiles, more than half of country's cropland showed below-average crop condition. These croplands were mainly distributed along the coast of the country, including Provinces of North Western, Western, Eastern and Sabaragamuwa, as well as scattered areas over Provinces of Northern Central. The maximum VCI showed high values all over the country except for some areas along the east and south 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 (1030 mm) was 5% above average. TEMP and RADPAR were 0.2°C and 8% above average respectively, and BIOMSS increased by 4% as compared to the 15YA. CALF was near the 5YA level with 99% of cropland utilized. NDVI slightly fluctuated around the average. The VCIx for the zone was 0.93. Overall, crop conditions were near average for this zone.

For the Wet zone, RAIN (1819 mm) was 14% above average as compared to the 15YA. TEMP was near average and RADPAR increased by 7%. BIOMSS was 2% above the 15YA and cropland was fully utilized. NDVI values showed significant deviation from average in early November and was close to average during other periods. The VCIx value for the zone was 0.97. Crop conditions were below average for this zone.

The Intermediate zone also experienced sufficient rain (1435 mm) with a 9% increase from the 15YA. TEMP was on average and RADPAR was 7% above average compared to the 15YA. With full use of cropland, BIOMSS was compared to 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, October 2021 – January 2021

(a) Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(c) Rainfall profile

(d)  Temperature profile

(e) Maximum VCI

(f) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI(Dry zone (left) and Wet zone (right))

(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, October 2021 – January 2021

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