Crop condition in the Philippines was generally average for the monitoring period between October 2015 and January 2016. This period covers the harvesting stage of last year’s main rice, as well as the sowing and growing stage of secondary rice and maize. Nationwide, PAR was above average by 10%,while rainfall decreased by 18%, mainly resulting from El Niño conditions. As aresult of rainfall deficit, the biomass accumulation shows a significant 32%decrease compared to the most recent five years. 

Considering the spatial patterns of NDVI profiles (Figure 3.24), crop condition in the Ilocos region and Cagayan Valley was below average in the second and third dekad of December. In addition, tropical cyclone Melor landed in Philippines in mid-December, bringing short-term heavy rainfall for the centralislands and secondary rice suffered in some areas.

Altogether, the output of rice is expected to be below average.  

Figure 3.24. Philippines crop condition, October 2015-January 2016

(a)Crop condition development graph based on NDVI              (b)Maximum VCI

(c)Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                         (d)NDVI profiles