Bulletin

wall bulletin
Sri LankaMain producing and exporting countries

Authors: xujm | Edit: lirui

This report covers both the main Maha and second Yala cropping season of Sri Lanka. The second crops (maize and rice) reached maturity in August.

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 4%), the temperature (TEMP 0.3°C) was also higher, while the radiation (RADPAR -2%) was lower. The cropland was almost fully utilized (CALF 99%). BIOMSS increased by 4% compared to the 15YA. As shown in the NDVI development graph, NDVI was generally on average, fluctuating slightly around the 5YA. The maximum VCI for the whole country was 0.93. The CPI was 1.00, which indicates a normal agricultural production situation.

As shown by the NDVI clustering map and profiles, more than 75% of the country's cropland showed similar trends of crop conditions during the period, with positive NDVI departure values from mid-July to mid-September. These croplands were distributed across the country and mainly concentrated in the east. 23.7% of the cropland, distributed mainly in the north central region, showed below-average and stable crop conditions for the whole period. 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 (707 mm) was 15% above average. TEMP was 0.5°C above average, while RADPAR was down by 2% . BIOMSS increased by 8% as compared to the 15YA. CALF was 1% higher than 5YA with 98% of cropland utilized. NDVI generally followed the country’s trend. The VCIx for the zone was 0.91. The CPI was 1.01. Overall, crop conditions were assessed as average for this zone.

The Intermediate zone had a rainfall of 1109 mm, which was 7% below average. TEMP was 0.6°C higher compared to the 15YA, while RADPAR decreased by 1%. With full use of cropland, BIOMSS was on 3% above average. NDVI was near average. The VCIx value for this zone was 0.94. The CPI was 0.97. Crop conditions were average for this zone.

For the Wet zone, RAIN (2247 mm) was 19% below average as compared to the 15YA. TEMP was 0.1°C lower than average, and RADPAR decreased by 4%. BIOMSS was 2% below the 15YA and cropland was fully utilized. NDVI was generally above average. The VCIx value for this zone was 0.97. The CPI was 1.01. Crop conditions were above average for this zone.


 

Figure 3.27. Sri Lanka crop condition, July – October 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, July – October 2024

Region

RAIN

TEMP

RADPAR

BIOMASS

current (mm)

Departure from 15YA (%)

current (°C)

Departure from 15YA (°C)

current (MJ/m2)

Departure from 15YA (%)

current (gDM/m2)

Departure from 15YA (%)

Dry zone

707

15

27.7

0.5

1245

-2

1223

8

Intermediate zone

1109

-7

25.2

0.6

1142

-1

1290

3

Wet zone

2247

-1

23.9

-0.1

1115

-4

1516

-2

 

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

Region

CALF

Cropping Intensity

Maximum VCI

CPI

Current (%)

Departure from 5YA (%)

Current (%)

Departure from 5YA (%)

Current

Current

Dry   Zone

98

1

149

4

0.91

1.01

Intermediate   Zone

100


128

1

0.94

0.97

Wet   zone

100

0

128

-3

0.97

1.01