This report covers the second cropping season of Sri Lanka. The sowing of the second Yala season crops (maize and rice) started in April. According to the CropWatch monitoring results, crop conditions were assessed as slightly below average for the monitoring period.

The country experienced the Southwest-Monsoon Season for most of the period. At the national level, precipitation was much lower than the 15YA (RAIN -20%), the temperature (TEMP 0.3°C) was higher, while the radiation (RADPAR 0%) was average. The fraction of cropped arable land (CALF 99%) was slightly up by 1% compared to the 5YA, while BIOMSS was down by 7% compared to the 15YA. As shown in the NDVI development graph, NDVI was slightly below average during most of the period. The maximum VCI for the whole country was 0.94. The CPI was 1.13, which indicates a normal agricultural production situation.

As shown by the NDVI clustering map and profiles, almost all of the country's cropland showed average to below-average crop conditions during the period: 11.1% of the cropland showed an apparent negative NDVI departure value from mid-April to mid-June. 6% of the cropland showed below-average NDVI values in early May, June and late July. 7.9% of the cropland showed below-average NDVI values in early May, June and July. The crop condition for the remaining part was mostly close to average. The maximum VCI showed high values for most of 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 (121), the Wet zone (123), and the Intermediate zone (122).

In the Dry zone, the recorded RAIN (364 mm) was 17% below average. TEMP was 0.6°C above average while RADPAR was on average. BIOMSS decreased by 7% as compared to the 15YA. CALF was higher than the 5YA level with 99% of cropland utilized. NDVI was similar to that of the whole country. The VCIx for the zone was 0.92. The CPI was 1.12. Overall, crop conditions were assessed as near average for this zone.

For the Wet zone, RAIN (1602 mm) was 20% below average as compared to the 15YA. TEMP and RADPAR decreased by 0.2°C and 1% respectively. BIOMSS was 5% below the 15YA and cropland was fully utilized. NDVI values trended below average, although some of the negative departures can be attributed to cloud cover in the satellite images. The CPI was 1.18. Crop conditions were below average for this zone.

The Intermediate zone had a rainfall of 665 mm, which was 32% below average. TEMP and RADPAR were 0.7°C and 2% higher compared to the 15YA. With full use of cropland, BIOMSS was 2% lower than the average. The crop condition was slightly below average and the VCIx value for this zone was 0.93. The CPI was 1.13.

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

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