During the period under review extending from October 2023 till January 2024, the cycles of 1^st and 2^nd potato seasons came to an end and harvest was carried out. Onion harvest was equally completed. Moreover, in some onion growing areas new beds were prepared and onion seeds were sown for March sets. In the case of pineapple, it was the peak production season with harvest ongoing at full speed in plantations where fruits had reached the right maturity stage while other plots with younger fruits were monitored further for pests and diseases. 

It can be said that the overall crop conditions that prevailed during the four months under review did not follow the usual trend for the season. Thus, even if the period started with a rain deficient October with only 74% of the month long term mean recorded as per the Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS), the remaining 3 months received above normal rainfall. Still according to figures published by the MMS, November 2023 was the wettest for the last 30 years with its 285 mm rainfall recorded representing 336% of the long-term mean. 

December 2023 was also unusually wet with its 293 mm rainfall recorded representing 178% of the long term mean for the month and the trend continued in January 2024 with the 574 mm rainfall received representing 204% of the long-term mean, as seen in the rainfall profile for the season. Mauritius equally witnessed torrential rain, flash floods and strong winds in mid-January 2024 when the centre of cyclone «Belal» passed south of the island. Referring to the CropWatch agroclimatic indicators, excessive rainfall was received during the season, with a departure of +97% compared to average figures for last 15 years and it was also warmer by 0.6^oC, while the radiation (RADPAR) was close to the average. The biomass accumulation (BIOMSS) for the whole island irrespective of crops grown is estimated to have increased by 29% nationwide compared to the 15-year average.

The excessive rainfall along with warm temperature during the season affected onion and 2^nd season potato harvest, resulting in higher risks of post-harvest losses due to spoilage and rotting during storage.  In many areas, flooding and water accumulation due to improper drainage at field level destroyed newly made onion beds where March sets were being grown. Unfavorable climatic conditions could thus account for a reduction in local onion and potato availability and equally lead to a reduction in planting material for onion sets in coming months. 

Moreover the cyclonic weather that prevailed in January 2024 caused the washing away of top soil in some sloppy areas under pineapple production. Water accumulation in fields also resulted in pineapple crown rot where disease management could not be conducted on time. The maximum Vegetation Condition Index (VCIx) was 0.95. The NDVI graph for the season indicates normal conditions at the beginning of this monitoring period. They subsequently improved to above average.  However, in some areas excess rainfall caused crop losses. 

In conclusion it can be said that, challenging weather conditions prevailing during the period under review affected cultural operations at field level leading to a reduction in quality and quantity of onion, potato and pineapple fruits produced. The crop prospects for the next season will again depend on climatic conditions. Since the rainy season started earlier in 2023, it is hoped that by March 2024, weather conditions would be favourable for sowing of potato and onion and start new plantations of pineapple.

   Figure 3.36 Mauritius’s crop condition, October 2023 - January 2024

a. Phenology of crops monitored

b. NDVI profiles

c. NDVI compared to 5YA and NDVI departure profiles

d. Crop condition clustering based on NDVI departures

e. Maximum VCI

f. Temperature profile

g. Rainfall profile

Table 3.63 Mauritius’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 15YA, October 2023 - January 2024

Table 3.64 Mauritius’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA, October 2023 - January 2024