During this reporting period, the maize was in the harvesting season. Production of the second rice crop started in January. It reached maturity in April. The harvest of wheat also fell into this monitoring period.

According to the agroclimatic indicators, the weather in Myanmar continues to be drier than normal. Compared to the 15YA, RAIN was much lower (-66%), while TEMP was higher (+0.6ºC) and RADPAR was up by 3%. As a result of the rainfall deficit, BIOMSS was markedly below the average (-18%). 25% of cropland was not utilized, 8% lower than the 5YA. NDVI values were below average during the whole monitoring period. The maximum VCI during this period was 0.72. The CPI value was 0.87, which represents a below-average agricultural production situation.

As shown by the NDVI clusters map and profiles, the crop conditions across the country ranged from average to below average. More than 70% of the country’s cropland showed below-average crop conditions during the whole period. It was mainly distributed throughout the country except for the part of the Center Plain. 6.2% of the cropland, located in south region, including Bago, Yangon and Ayeyarwady, showed positive NDVI departure values in January, but below average values thereafter. 26.9% of the country’s cropland, which was distributed around the Central Plain, was near average during the entire period.  According to the CropWatch monitoring results, crop conditions were below average.

Regional analysis

Three sub-national agro-ecological zones (AEZ) can be distinguished for Myanmar based on the cropping system, climatic zones and topographic conditions. They are the Central plain (132), the Hills (134) and the Delta and Southern Coast regions (133).

The Central Plain had a marked rainfall deficit (RAIN -84%), and RADPAR and TEMP were up by 3% and 0.9ºC compared to the 15YA. BIOMSS was 17% lower than the 15YA. CALF showed that 58% of the cropland was utilized. NDVI was below the level of the 5YA for the period. The VCIx was 0.65. The CPI was 0.73. Crop conditions for this region were below average.

The Hills region also had below-average rainfall (RAIN -63%). RADPAR and TEMP increased by 4% and 0.6ºC. BIOMSS was 20% lower than the 15YA. The cropland was not fully utilized (CALF 91%). The NDVI values were similar to that of the whole country. The VCIx was 0.77. The CPI was 0.86. Crop conditions are assessed as below the 5YA level.

The Delta and Southern Coast region had a below-average rainfall (RAIN -69%), similar to the other two sub-national regions. RADPAR and TEMP were 3% and 0.4ºC above average. BIOMSS was 17% lower than the 15YA. The cropland was also not fully utilized (CALF 89%). The NDVI values were below the 5YA during the whole period. VCIx was 0.83. The CPI was 1.00. Crop conditions in this region were below average.

Figure 3.30 Myanmar 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 (Central plain region(left) and Hills region(right))

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI in delta and southern coast region

Table 3.51 Myanmar agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, January 2023– April 2023

Table 3.52 Myanmar agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, January 2023– April 2023