The reporting period covers the entire sowing season and early growing season of maize, wheat and second rice, as well as the harvest of the main rice crop. Maize is distributed mainly in the Hills region, while wheat and rice are planted across the country. 

CropWatch agroclimatic indices which were similar to the previous monitoring period: compared to average, rainfall increased by 13%; temperature remained average, and radiation showed a marked drop (RADPAR, -5%). The fraction of cropped arable land (CALF) showed a slightly increase (0.8%) compared to the five-year average, and maximun VCI reached 0.98, indicating favorable crop condition over the country. Sufficient precipitation and average temperature led to an increase in BIOMSS (+19%). The crop condition development graph based on NDVI also shows a favorable situation. Crop condition, which was unsatisfactory in early October, recovered to average from mid-October to December and got better in January. Similar fluctuations of crop condition can also be seen for the agro-ecological regions described in the regional analysis below. 

In terms of spatial distributions, cropland across the country displayed good conditions according to both NDVI and VCIx. The central areas of Mandalay and Magwe showed above average condition throughout the reporting period, while other parts of the country were  average. 

Regional analysis

For Myanmar, based on the cropping system, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, three sub-national agro-ecological regions can be distinguished. They are the Hill region, the Central plain, and the Coastal region. 

Maize, the major crop in the Hill region was planted during the monitoring period. Agroclimatic indicators were close to the national values. According to the NDVI development graphs, crop condition was slightly below average before December, after which it recovered rapidly and reached to the five-year maximum.

The Central plain is the main crop region of the country, and the area shows the most favorable values among the three sub-national regions discussed here. More precipitation compared with average and close to average temperature provided good condition for the crops which are, however, almost entirely irrigated.

The coastal region shows the least favorable agroclimatic and crop conditions for the country, but nevertheless remain close to average. The crop condition before January slightly below average and then recovered gradually, following the same trend as the Hill region. Rainfall was largely above average (RAIN 27%) while radiation was poor (RADPAR -7%).

CropWatch assesses overall crop condition as generally above average and possibly above the maximum of the recent five years.

Figure 3.21. Myanmar crop condition, October 2017 - January 2018

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

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Hill region)

Table 3.51. Myanmar agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, October 2017 - January 2018