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. According to the NDVI profiles for the country, crop condition was below the five-year average, which may result for abundant cloudiness (below average radiation is attested by RADPAR 5% below average）. Nationwide, precipitation (RAIN) presents a positive departure of 46% over average, accompanied by average temperature, which resulted in an increase of BIOMSS 20% over average. 

Based on the VCIx indicator, favorable crop condition prevailed as the value mostly exceeded 0.90.  The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) nation-wide was almost 100%. Considering the spatial patterns of NDVI profiles, 73.4% of the cropped area experienced average conditions, but  other areas display very different profiles including (1) a marked drop in December and January in 9.3% of the areas, (2) a recovery to average condition from low values in October (10.0%) and (3) a decrease from October to December and a recovery thereafter in 6.4% of croplands.  The behaviour of NDVI can be explained at least partially by several typhoons that affected the Philippines, starting with Khanun in mid-October, Kai-tak and Tembin in December. Storms brought some heavy and short duration rain, causing flash floods in the Visayas, including Samar. Altogether, however, the outputs for maize and rice in the country are expected to be above average.

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, the Hills region, and the Forest region.

The Lowlands region experienced excessive rainfall (RAIN +46%), low radiation (RADPAR -6%) and average temperature.  BIOMSS was 27% above compared to the average for the period and region. Regional CALF is 100%, and the VCIx was good at 0.97. Altogether, the outputs for secondary maize and rice are expected to be above average.

The Forest region also experienced excessive rainfall (RAIN +44%), low radiation (RADPAR -5%) mildly below average temperature (TEMP -0.5°C).  BIOMSS was 15% above compared to the average for the period and region. Regional CALF is 100%, and the VCIx was good at 0.98. Altogether, the outputs for secondary maize and rice are expected to be above average.

The hills region recorded the highest rainfall departure (RAIN, +64%)，low radiation (RADPAR -3%) and normal temperature (TEMP -0.1°C). BIOMSS is 27% above the five-year average. A high CALF (100%) and good VCIx (0.97) should result in above average secondary maize and rice seasons.

Figure 3.24.Philippines crop condition, October 2017 -January 2018

(a) Phenologyof major crops

(b) Cropcondition development graph based on NDVI   (c)Maximum VCI

(d) SpatialNDVI patterns compared to 5YA                     (e) NDVI profiles

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

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

Table 3.59.Philippines agroclimatic indicators by agro-ecological region,current season's values and departure from 15YA, October 2017 -January 2018

Table 3.60.Philippines agronomic indicators by sub-national regions,current season's values and departure from 5YA, October 2017 -January 2018