The main rice growing season is in full swing on the Philippines. Maize has reached the stage of maturity and is about to be harvested, while harvest of the secondary rice and maize crops was completed in April and May. According to the NDVI profiles for the country, crops generally experienced below average conditions, but they recovered to close to normal in July. Rain was 9% below the 15-year average, radiation was 4% higher and temperature was close to normal (+0.1°C). The higher radiation resulted in above average BIOMSS (+4%) estimates.

The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was almost 100% in all regions. The spatial patterns of NDVI profiles show that: (1) 46.5% of the cropped areas experienced average or slightly above average conditions in most of the country; (2) 34.5% experienced slightly below average conditions, mostly in the Center, from Negros and Cebu to Luzon; (3) 19.0% had slightly below average condition before a marked drop in June, and recovered to slightly below average conditions in July. This was the case for the regions in the Center and South.

In spite of the below average rainfall and NDVI, the assessment of the crop situation on the Philippines is less straightforward than it seems, especially when considering that solar radiation often is a limiting factor for crop production in tropical areas. Solar radiation was above average, CALF reached 100% and VCIx was unusually high in all agro-ecological zones. We therefore conclude that overall, crop conditions are favorable. 

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, three main agro-ecological regions can be distinguished for the Philippines. They are the Northern lowlands of Mindanao to western Visayas region, the Negros and central Visayas Islands region  and the Forest islands region (mostly southern and western islands). All regions recorded full cropping and VCIx above 0.95, confirming the positive assessment provided above.

The Northern lowlands of Mindanao to western Visayas region experienced a rainfall deficit (RAIN -8%), slightly above average temperature (TEMP +0.2°C)，and well above average radiation (RADPAR +5%). BIOMSS was up by 5% as compared to the 5-year average. 

The Negros and central Visayas Islands region had the largest rainfall deficit (RAIN -11%), slightly above average temperatures (TEMP +0.2°C) and the largest positive departure of radiation (RADPAR +8%). BIOMSS was 8% above average. 

The Forest islands region experienced a rainfall deficit (RAIN -9%), average temperatures and above average radiation (RADPAR +2%). BIOMSS was up 2% from the average. 

Figure 3.24.Philippines crop condition, April-July 2019

(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 (Northern lowlands of Mindanao to western Visayas region (left)，Negros and central Visayas Islands region (right))

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI(Forest islands region)

Table 3.59.Philippines agroclimatic indicators by agro-ecological region,current season's values and departure from 15YA, April-July 2019

Table 3.60.Philippines agronomic indicators by sub-national regions,current season's values and departure from 15YA/5YA, April-July 2019