In the Philippines, the monitoring period covers the harvesting stage of last year's main rice, as well as the sowing stage of secondary rice and maize crops. According to the NDVI profiles for the country, the NDVI was slightly below average until early December, when it started to approach close to average values. Nationwide, precipitation (RAIN) presented a negative departure of 16% compared with average, accompained by above-average radiation (PADPAR +8%) and average temperature (TEMP +0°C). Altogether, the potential cumulative biomass  was above average (BIOMASS +6%). According to the VCIx indicator (0.98), favorable crop condition prevailed. The cropped arable land fraction (CLAF) for the country was almost 100%.

Considering the spatial patterns of NDVI profiles, about 52.5% of the crop land, which mainly lies in the western coast of Luzon island, the west of Visayas island and the west of Mindanao island, presented an above-average NDVI during reporting period. A couple of negative outliers for NDVI were observed for November and January. These might be due to cloud cover or aftereffects of typhoons.

In spite of the below average rainfall, the other indicators are close to average and 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 Lowlands region (northern islands), the Hilly region (Island of Bohol, Sebu and Negros), and the Forest region (mostly southern and western islands). All the regions have a stable (unchanged) cropped arable land fraction.

The Lowlands region experienced a rainfall deficit (RAIN -12%), average temperature (TEMP +0.0°C) and above average radiation (RADPAR +8%). According to the NDVI profiles for the region, crop condition was below the five-year average, especially in the early Novermber. However, BIOMSS was up 4% above average, with a VCIx of 0.98, which means a good crop condition.

The Negros and central Visayas Islands region had a rainfall deficit (RAIN -7%), slightly above average temperatures (TEMP +0.2°C) and a departure of radiation (RADPAR +9%). As is shown by NDVI profile of this region, the NDVI was slightly below average before December 2019 and was above average after that time. Compared with the average, BIOMSS was up 10% above average with a VCIx of 1.00, showing a favorable crop condition.

The Forest region experienced the largest rainfall deficit (RAIN -20%), slightly above average temperature (TEMP +0.1°C) and above average radiation (RADPAR +8%). According to the NDVI profiles, crop condition was near the five-year average, while BIOMSS was up 6% from average. Altogether, the VCIx for the region was 0.98, displaying a good crop condition.

Philippines' crop condition, October, 2019- January, 2020

(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 temperature profile (left) and rainfall profile (right)

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Lowlands region (left) and Hills region (right))

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Forest Region)

Philippines' agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2019- January 2020

Philippines' agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2019- January 2020