This report covers two cropping seasons of Sri Lanka. The second Yala season crops (maize and rice) were planted in April and May and harvested from August to October. According to the CropWatch monitoring results, crop conditions were assessed as below average for the monitoring period. Planting of the main Maha crops started in October.

The country experienced the Southwest-Monsoon Season for most of the period. It was followed by the Second Inter-monsoon Season in October. At the national level, precipitation was higher than the 15YA (△RAIN 10%), the temperature (△TEMP 0.3°C) was also higher, while the radiation (RADPAR -5%) was lower. The fraction of cropped arable land (CALF 99%) was near the 5YA, while BIOMSS was slightly down by 1% compared to the 15YA. As shown in the NDVI development graph, NDVI was below average during most of the period, especially in early September. The maximum VCI for the whole country was 0.92. The CPI was 1.00, 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: 40.1% of the cropland generally showed no NDVI departures for the whole period, which was mainly distributed in the eastern part. The crop condition for the remaining part was below-average, in which the abnormal NDVI values in early September and October can be attributed to cloud cover in the satellite images. The maximum VCI showed high values for most of the country except for the northeastern part.

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

In the Dry zone, the recorded RAIN (605 mm) was on average. TEMP was 0.6°C above average, while RADPAR was 2% below average. BIOMSS increased by 1% as compared to the 15YA. CALF was 1% higher than the 5YA level with 98% of cropland utilized. NDVI was average at the start and end of the monitoring period, while it was below average for other months. The VCIx for the zone was 0.90. The CPI was 1.00. Overall, crop conditions were assessed as below average for this zone.

The Intermediate zone had a rainfall of 1203 mm, which was 3% above average. TEMP was 0.7°C higher compared to the 15YA, while RADPAR was decreased by 4%. With full use of cropland, BIOMSS was 4% lower than the average. NDVI was similar to that of the whole country. The VCIx value for this zone was 0.95. The CPI was 1.00.

For the Wet zone, RAIN (2607 mm) was 17% above average as compared to the 15YA. TEMP and RADPAR decreased by 0.3°C and 11% respectively. BIOMSS was 4% below the 15YA and cropland was fully utilized. The CPI was 1.01. Crop conditions were below average for this zone.

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

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