This reporting period covers the sowing and growing stage of the second maize. The harvest for the main rice was concluded by the end of December and the second rice started to be harvested in January. NDVI value stayed below average throughout the monitoring period. The country was hit by several typhoons. They caused flooding and crop damage in some parts of the country. Cloud cover in the satellite images may also have caused some of the large negative departures of NDVI from the average. As a result of the typhoons, the country experienced a large increase in rainfall (RAIN, +35%). The 19th typhoon Goni and the 22nd typhoon Vamco not only brought more than average precipitation, but also reduced the radiation (RADPAR -7%). The temperatures (TEMP +0.1°C) were slightly higher than average. As a result, the potential biomass (BIOMSS -7%) showed a decrease by 7% as compared to the average. The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) for the country was close to 100% and the maximum VCI value was at 0.96. The high CALF and VCIx indicate that the crop conditions were close to normal.

Regional analysis

Based on the 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 are characterised by a stable (almost 100%) cropped arable land fraction (CALF) and a high maximum VCI value (VCIx>0.94). As mentioned above, the NDVI profiles need to be interpreted with caution because of flooding conditions and cloud cover in the satellite images.

The Lowland region experienced a big increase of rainfall (RAIN, +59%) and almost average temperature (TEMP +0.1°C), while the radiation (RADPAR -10%) was below the 15YA. As a result, the potential biomass (BIOMSS, -10%) was about 10% lower than average as well. According to the NDVI profile, the NDVI for the region was lower than average all the time, especially in late October and early January.

Compared to the past 15 years, the Hilly region (Negros and central Visayas island region) went through a wetter and slightly warmer period than the average. The precipitation for the region was 24% more than average (RAIN, +24%) and the temperature  was 0.3℃ higher (TEMP, +0.3°C), while the radiation was lower (RADPAR, -2%) . Thus, the corresponding biomass was slightly lower than average as well (BIOMASS, -2%). 

The Forest region had an above-average rainfall (RAIN, +20%) and slightly warmer temperature (TEMP, +0.1°C). The radiation was less than average by 5% (RADPAR, -5%) and the potential biomass was lower by 6% (BIOMSS, -6%). As the NDVI profile shows, the regional NDVI was lower than average all the time. It was around 0.7 and stayed stable before January. Subsequently, the NDVI experienced a drop of around 0.1 NDVI units in early January and a small increase in late January.   

Figure 3.35 Philippines' crop condition, October 2020- January 2021

(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)

Table 3.59 Philippines' agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2020 - January 2021

Table 3.60 Philippines' agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, October 2020- January 2021