This report covers the second Yala cropping season of Sri Lanka. The second crops (maize and rice) were planted in April and May. Their harvest will start in August.

The country was exposed to the Southwest-Monsoon for most of the period. At the national level, precipitation was higher than the 15YA (△RAIN 22%), the temperature (△TEMP 0.4°C) was also higher, while the radiation (RADPAR -8%) was lower. The cropland was almost fully utilized (CALF 99%). BIOMSS slightly increased by 1% compared to the 15YA. As shown in the NDVI development graph, NDVI was slightly below average in April, while it was average from May to July. The maximum VCI for the whole country was 0.93. The CPI was 1.02, which indicates a normal agricultural production situation.

As shown by the NDVI clustering map and profiles, almost all of the country's cropland showed below-average to average crop conditions during the period. 46.4% of the cropland, distributed mainly in the southeast of the country, showed below average crop conditions in April and May, while it trended average to above average in June and July. The 15.8% of the cropland, mainly distributed in north central region, showed below average conditions all the time. The remining 37.8% of the cropland showed below-average, but improving crop conditions. The maximum VCI showed high values for most of the country. According to the CropWatch monitoring results, crop conditions were assessed as average for the monitoring period.

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 (562 mm) was 29% above average. TEMP was 0.6°C above average, while RADPAR was down by 6% . BIOMSS increased by 2% as compared to the 15YA. CALF was 1% higher than 5YA with cropland almost fully utilized. NDVI generally followed the country’s level. The VCIx for the zone was 0.93. The CPI was 1.04. Overall, crop conditions were assessed as average for this zone.

The Intermediate zone had a rainfall of 1110 mm, which was 14% above average. TEMP was 0.7°C higher compared to the 15YA, wihle RADPAR decreased by 6%. With full use of cropland, BIOMSS was on average. NDVI was near average. The VCIx value for this zone was 0.92. The CPI was 0.97.

For the Wet zone, RAIN (2377 mm) was 19% above average as compared to the 15YA. TEMP was 0.1°C higher than average, while RADPAR decreased by 12%. BIOMSS was 1% below the 15YA and cropland was fully utilized. The VCIx value for this zone was 0.93. The CPI was 0.98. Crop conditions were average for this zone.

Figure 3.27. Sri Lanka crop condition, April – July 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 (Dry zone(left) and Wet zone(right))

(j) 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, April – July 2024

Table 3.46. Sri Lanka agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA/5YA, April – July 2024