This report covers the main and second cropping season of Sri Lanka. The main Maha season crops were harvested during February and March, while the sowing of second Yala season crops (maize and wheat) started in April. According to the CropWatch monitoring results, crop conditions were assessed as average for the monitoring period.

During this period, the country experienced the Northeast-Monsoon season during January and February and transformed into the First Inter-monsoon season in March and April. At the national level, precipitation was slightly below the 15YA (RAIN -2%), as well as the temperature (TEMP -0.1°C), while the radiation (RADPAR 1%) was slightly above the average. The fraction of cropped arable land (CALF) was similar to the 5YA, and BIOMSS was up by 5% compared to the 15YA. As shown in the NDVI development graph, NDVI was near average during most of the period. The maximum VCI for the whole country was 0.91. The CPI was 1.14.

As shown by the NDVI clustering map and profiles, almost all of the country's cropland showed slightly below-average crop conditions during the period. However, the sharp drops in the NDVI values were mainly caused by cloud cover in the satellite images. The maximum VCI showed high values almost all over the country except for some clustered areas in the east.

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 (121), the Wet zone (123), and the Intermediate zone (122).

In the Dry zone, the recorded RAIN (448 mm) was 2% below average. TEMP and RADPAR were 0.1°C and 1% above average. BIOMSS increased by 4% as compared to the 15YA. CALF was comparable to the 5YA level with 99% of cropland utilized. NDVI was similar to that of the whole country. The VCIx for the zone was 0.91. The CPI was 1.12. Overall, crop conditions were slightly below average for this zone.

For the Wet zone, RAIN (795 mm) was 2% below average as compared to the 15YA. TEMP and RADPAR decreased by 0.5°C and 1% respectively. BIOMSS was 6% above the 15YA and cropland was fully utilized. NDVI values showed average levels during the whole period except for late April. The VCIx value for the zone was 0.93. The CPI was 1.12. Crop conditions were near average for this zone.

The Intermediate zone also experienced a rainfall deficit (538 mm, -21%). TEMP and RADPAR were 0.3°C and 4% up compared to the 15YA. With full use of cropland, BIOMSS was 3% lower than the average. The NDVI values were similar to the whole country and the VCIx value for this zone was 0.92. The CPI was 1.12. Conditions of the crops were slightly below average.

Figure 3.27. Sri Lanka crop condition, January 2023– April 2023

(a) Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(c) Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA  (e) NDVI profiles

(f) Rainfall profile

(g) Temperature profile

(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 2023– April 2023

Table 3.46. Sri Lanka agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA/5YA, January 2023– April 2023