During this reporting period, wheat sowing ended in November, whereas the sowing of maize and the second rice was completed in December. The harvesting of the main rice crop took place from October to December. According to the CropWatch monitoring results, crop conditions were average.

According to the agroclimatic indicators, RAIN was higher (9%) compared to the 15YA, TEMP was also higher (+0.6ºC), and RADPAR was up by 2%. 99% of cropland was utilized, which was the same as the 5YA. As a result, BIOMSS increased by 5%. NDVI values were average from October to December, and were above average during late December and January. The maximum VCI during this period was 0.92. The CPI value was 1.03, 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 heterogeneous and generally on average. 29.4% of the cropland, distributed mainly in the Central Plain, generally showed above-average crop conditions. More than 60% of the cropland showed near average crop conditions for almost the whole period. 4.4% of the cropland showed below-average crop conditions all the time, which was distributed in the Hills region and part of south regions. The maximum VCI maps showed high values throughout the country.

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 Delta and Southern Coast regions (133) and the Hills (134).

The Central Plain had a rainfall deficit (RAIN -8%), while RADPAR (+3%) and TEMP (+0.8ºC) were higher as compared to the 15YA. BIOMSS was 2% higher than the 15YA. CALF showed that 99% of the cropland was utilized. The NDVI values were generally above average. The VCIx was 0.93. The CPI was 1.06. Crop conditions for this region were above average.

The Delta and Southern Coast region had an above-average rainfall (RAIN 14%). RADPAR was 2% above average, TEMP was 0.8ºC above average as well. BIOMSS was on average. The cropland was almost fully utilized (CALF 98%). The NDVI values were below the 5YA during November and December. VCIx was 0.92. The CPI was 1.00. Crop conditions in this region were average.

The Hills region also had above-average rainfall (RAIN 16%). RADPAR and TEMP increased by 2% and 0.4ºC. BIOMSS (+8%) was higher than the 15YA. 99% of cropland was utilized. NDVI followed the level of the 5YA for most of the period. The VCIx was 0.91. The CPI was 0.98. Crop conditions are assessed as average.

Figure 3.33 Myanmar 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 profiles

(f)  Rainfall Profile

(g) Temperature Profile

(h) CPI time series chart

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Central plain region(left) and Hills region(right))

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

Table 3.57 Myanmar agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2023 – January 2024

Table 3.58 Myanmar agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, October 2023 – January 2024