This report covers both the main (Maha) and second cropping season (Yala) of Sri Lanka. The harvest of main season crops (maize and wheat) took place between January to March. Sowing of the second season crops started in April. According to the CropWatch monitoring results, crop conditions were assessed as close to, but below average for the monitoring period.

The proportion of irrigated cropland in Sri Lanka is 41% and agro-meteorological conditions play an important role in the growth of more than half of the crops, rainfall is not the major influential factor.During this period, the country experienced the Northeast-Monsoon from January to February, followed by the First Inter-Monsoon, during which the island typically experiences cold and dry windy weather. At the national level, precipitation was markedly above the 15YA (RAIN +22%), while temperature and radiation were near the average level. The remarkable increase of rainfall in early April ensured sufficient water supply for the sowing of crops. The fraction of cropped arable land (CALF) was comparable to the 5YA. BIOMSS was up by 14% compared to the 15YA. As shown in the NDVI development graph, NDVI was generally close to average during the period. The maximum VCI for the whole country was 0.92.

As shown by the NDVI clusters map and profiles, more than half of country's cropland showed close to, but below average crop conditions. These croplands were distributed over the whole country. The decline in crop conditions was most likely due to the lack of fertilizer, resulting from a ban on the use of chemical fertilizer in Sri Lanka, which will likely lead to an annual drop of at least 30% in paddy yields nationwide. The abnormal NDVI departure values in January and April were mainly caused by cloud cover. The maximum VCI showed high values all over the country.

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 (533 mm) was 19% above average. TEMP was 0.1°C above average and RADPAR was average. BIOMSS increased by 18% as compared to the 15YA. CALF was the same as the 5YA level with 99% of cropland utilized. NDVI was average in general, with below-average values in early January and above-average values in April. The VCIx for the zone was 0.91. Overall, crop conditions were near average for this zone.

For the Wet zone, RAIN (1007 mm) was 28% above average as compared to the 15YA. TEMP and RADPAR decreased by 0.3°C and 1% respectively. BIOMSS was 7% above the 15YA and cropland was fully utilized. NDVI values showed slight deviation from average during the period. The VCIx value for the zone was 0.94. Crop conditions were near average for this zone.

The Intermediate zone also experienced sufficient rain (729 mm) with a 9% increase from the 15YA. TEMP was 0.2°C above average and RADPAR was average compared to the 15YA. With full use of cropland, BIOMSS was 8% above the average. The NDVI values were similar to the Wet zone and the VCIx value for this zone was 0.93. Conditions of crops were close to average.

Figure 3.27. Sri Lanka crop condition, January – April 2022

(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,  January – April 2022

Table 3.46. Sri Lanka agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA/5YA, January – April 2022