In the Philippines, the monitoring period covers the harvesting stage of secondary rice and maize, as well as the sowing stage of main rice and maize crops. According to the NDVI profiles for the country, crop condition was close to the five-year average from February to April, but below average in January and the final months of 2017. Nationwide, precipitation (RAIN) presents a positive departure of 38% over average, accompanied by below average radiation (-2%) and temperature (-0.5°C), which resulted in an increase of BIOMSS 18% over average.

Based on the VCIx indicator, favorable crop condition prevailed as the value mostly exceeded 0.80.  The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) nation-wide was almost 100%. Considering the spatial patterns of NDVI profiles, 86% of the cropped area experienced average conditions, but other areas display different profiles including (1) a marked drop in January in 9.6% of the areas and in February in 4.4% of the areas, (2) a recovery to average condition in March and April.

The behavior of NDVI can be explained at least partially by several typhoons of minor magnitude that affected the Philippines, starting with Bolaven in January. 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 +50%), low radiation (RADPAR -3%) and mildly below average temperature (TEMP -0.5°C). BIOMSS was 25% above the average. Regional CALF is 100%, and the VCIx was good at 0.89. Altogether, the outputs for main maize and rice are expected to be above average.

The Forest region also experienced excessive rainfall (RAIN +32%), mildly below average radiation (RADPAR -1%) and 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 0.85. Altogether, the outputs for main maize and rice are expected to be above average as well.

The hills region recorded the highest rainfall departure (RAIN, +77%) but nevertheless average radiation and temperature. BIOMSS is 15% above the five-year average. A high CALF (100%) and good VCIx (0.94) should result in above average main maize and rice seasons.

Figure 3.24.Philippines crop condition, January 2018 -April 2018

(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(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, January 2018 -April 2018

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

Table 3.61. CropWatch-estimated maize and rice production for Philippines in 2018 (thousand tons)