This report covers the main Maha cropping season of Sri Lanka. The crops (maize and rice) were planted in October and November, and growing from December to January. According to the CropWatch monitoring results, crop conditions were assessed as average for the monitoring period, but maize was negatively impacted by the above-average rainfall.

The country experienced the Second Inter-monsoon Season. It was followed by the Northeast-Monsoon Season in December. At the national level, precipitation was markedly higher than the 15YA (△RAIN 82%), the temperature (△TEMP 0.3°C) was also higher, while the radiation (RADPAR -3%) was lower. The cropland was fully utilized (CALF 100%). BIOMSS increased by 14% compared to the 15YA. As shown in the NDVI development graph, NDVI was generally average during the whole period. The maximum VCI for the whole country was 0.95. The CPI was 0.99, 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. 10.8% of the cropland, mainly distributed in west coast, showed above-average crop conditions in early October. 12.4% of the cropland showed apparent negative NDVI departure values in November, which was mainly happened in the Dry zone. 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 Intermediate zone (122), and the Wet zone (123).

In the Dry zone, the recorded RAIN (1541 mm) was 58% above average. TEMP was 0.5°C above average, while RADPAR was average. BIOMSS increased by 16% as compared to the 15YA. CALF was the same as 5YA level with cropland fully utilized. NDVI was average for the monitoring period. The VCIx for the zone was 0.94. The CPI was 0.99. Overall, crop conditions were assessed as average for this zone.

The Intermediate zone had a rainfall of 2388 mm, which was 77% above average. TEMP was 0.6°C higher compared to the 15YA, while RADPAR decreased by 1%. With full use of cropland, BIOMSS was 14% higher than the average. NDVI was similar to that of the whole country. The VCIx value for this zone was 0.97. The CPI was 1.01.

For the Wet zone, RAIN (3414 mm) was 111% above average as compared to the 15YA. TEMP and RADPAR decreased by 0.2°C and 11% respectively. BIOMSS was 10% above the 15YA and cropland was fully utilized. The CPI was 1.00. Crop conditions were average for this zone.

Figure 3.30 Sri Lanka crop condition, October 2023 – January 2024

(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 departure profiles

(f) Rainfall profiles

(g) Temperature profiles

(h) CPI time series graph

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Dry zone(left) and Wet zone(right))

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Intermediate zone)

Table 3.51 Sri Lanka agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2023 – January 2024

Table 3.52 Sri Lanka agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA/5YA, October 2023 – January 2024