During this reporting period, the maize, wheat and second rice were still in the harvesting season. The sowing of the main rice crop started in May. It reached the growing season in July. According to the CropWatch monitoring results, crop conditions were below average.

According to the agroclimatic indicators, the weather in Myanmar continues its drying trend. Compared to the 15YA, RAIN was lower (-31%), while TEMP was higher (+1.0ºC) and RADPAR was up by 9%. As a result of the rainfall deficit, BIOMSS was markedly below the average (-12%). In addition, the prolonged internal conflict keeps disrupting farmers' access to inputs. 87% of cropland was utilized, basically the same as 5YA. NDVI values were below average during the whole monitoring period. The maximum VCI during this period was 0.90. The CPI value was 1.05, which represents an average agricultural production situation for this period.

As shown by the NDVI clusters map and profiles, the crop conditions across the country were generally below average. The whole country’s cropland showed below-average crop conditions during April and May. More than 50% of the cropland recovered to above-average in June. It was mainly distributed throughout the country except for the part of the Center Plain, including Sagaing, Magwe, Bago, Yangon, Ayeyarwady and other clustered areas around the Hills region. The maximum VCI values showed similar distribution as the clusters map.

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 -40%), and RADPAR and TEMP were up by 11% and 1.5ºC compared to the 15YA. BIOMSS was 17% lower than the 15YA. CALF showed that 82% of the cropland was utilized. The NDVI values were similar to that of the whole country. The VCIx was 0.90. The CPI was 1.05. Crop conditions for this region were below average.

The Hills region also had below-average rainfall (RAIN -34%). RADPAR and TEMP increased by 10% and 1.0ºC. BIOMSS was 10% lower than the 15YA. 95% of cropland was utilized. NDVI was below the level of the 5YA for most of the period. The VCIx was 0.91. The CPI was 1.10. Crop conditions are assessed as below the 5YA level.

The Delta and Southern Coast region had a below-average rainfall (RAIN -23%), similar to the other two sub-national regions. RADPAR and TEMP were 4% and 0.6ºC above average. BIOMSS was 9% lower than the 15YA. The cropland was also not fully utilized (CALF 86%). The NDVI values were below the 5YA during the whole period. VCIx was 0.86. The CPI was 1.02. Crop conditions in this region were below average.

Figure 3.30 Myanmar 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 (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, April 2023– July 2023

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