In the Philippines, harvesting of the main season crop is currently underway, while the second maize and second rice were at  sowing at the end of the monitoring period. According to the NDVI profiles for the country, crops generally experienced below average conditions. Nationwide, precipitation (RAIN) presents a negative departure of 9% compared with average, accompanied by above average radiation (+3%) and average  temperature. The higher radiation resulted in above average BIOMSS (+3%) estimates .

The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) was almost 100% in all regions. The spatial patterns of NDVI profiles show that: (1) 62.1% of the cropped areas experienced average conditions in most of the country; (2) 14.2% had a marked drop in June, and recovered to slightly below average conditions after July, mainly in the Center and South; (3) 11% experienced fluctuating conditions  (average-below average) from July to October, then recovered to average conditions, mostly in Luzon; (4) 12.8% had average condition before a marked drop in mid-July, and recovered to average conditions in mid-August, mostly from Luzon to Negros.  The behavior of NDVI can be explained mainly clouds and low radiation, and partially by several tropical storms that affected the Philippines, starting with Danas（Falcon）in July. 

In spite of the below average rainfall and NDVI, the assessment of the crop situation in 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 condition is 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 0.97, confirming the positive assessment provided above. All regions had full cropping (CALF at 100%) and VCIx just under 1.00. 

The Northern lowlands of Mindanao to western Visayas region experienced a rainfall deficit (RAIN -6%), average temperature，and above average radiation (RADPAR +2%). This region is cultivated with a mixture of single and double cropping systems, and cropping intensity was above the 5-year average (+16%). BIOMSS was slightly above the 5-year average (+1%). Altogether, the output of secondary maize and second rice are expected to be above average. 

The Negros and central Visayas Islands region had the largest rainfall deficit (RAIN -17%), slightly above average temperatures (TEMP +0.2°C) and the largest positive departure of radiation (RADPAR +10%). This region is cultivated with a mixture of single and double cropping systems, and cropping intensity was below the 5-year average (-2%). BIOMSS was 10% above average. Altogether, the output of secondary maize and second rice are expected to be above average as well.  

The Forest islands region experienced a rainfall deficit (RAIN -12%), average temperatures and above average radiation (RADPAR was up 4%). This region is cultivated with a mixture of single and double cropping systems, and cropping intensity was above the 5-year average (+4%). BIOMSS was up 4% over the average.  Altogether, the output of secondary maize and second rice are expected to be above average as well.  

Figure 3.24.Philippines crop condition, July - October 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)Time series rainfall pofile (left) and temperature pofile (right) 

(g) 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, July - October 2019

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