Monthly Philippine Agro-climatic Review and Outlook

February 2025


In February, the country experienced various weather systems, including the Northeast (NE) monsoon, shear line, intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), easterlies, and localized thunderstorms.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council's Progress Report, these systems brought continuous heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding, flash floods, rain-induced landslides and other severe weather related incidents across MIMAROPA, Caraga, and Davao Region caused by easterlies and shear line.

As illustrated in Figure 1, most parts of the country experienced above-normal rainfall in February, while Central Visayas, most of Northern Mindanao, Davao Region and Caraga near normal rainfall conditions. The highest recorded rainfall for the month was at Puerto Princesa City Synoptic Station (352.0 mm), followed by Virac Synoptic Station (178.8 mm) and Sorsogon Synoptic Station (168.8 mm).

No tropical cyclone entered or developed within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) during the month.

FARM OPERATIONS
• Land and Seedbed Preparations
• Planting and Transplanting
• Weed Management
• Field monitoring
• Pest and diseases management
• Water management
• Fertilizer Application
• Post-harvest/Harvesting
  • • Cleaning and management
• Harvesting

The agricultural technicians, farmers, and farm enthusiasts may continue to browse some tips and additional knowledge on potential crop production, early warning for pest and disease infestations and water management strategies for specific areas by visiting the website of Department of Agriculture in their respective regions. For daily farm weather and climate conditions, you may visit PAGASA website (https://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/)


CROP STAGES REGION/CROPS
Land and Seedbed Preparation (including preparation for garden plot, urban gardening, and upland farms), (irrigated and rainfed farms) Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Northern Mindanao
Planting and Transplanting (broadcasting / direct seeding – for rice, corn, conventional way/ by rows - other cash crops)
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, CALABARZON, and Eastern Visayas
Vegetative Stage (tillering, head development)
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, and BARMM
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, and BARMM
  • Abaca, alugbati, ampalaya, asparagus, avocado, Baguio beans, banana, basil, batao, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cadios, cacao, cactus, calamansi, camote tops, carrot, cashew, cassava, cauliflower, celery, chico, chili, chayote, coconut, coffee, condol, cowpea, cucumber, dalandan, dragon fruit, durian, eggplant, fern leaves, garlic, ginger, green onions, guava, guyabano, habichuelas, honeydew, jackfruit, kamias, kangkong, lanzones, lemon, lemongrass, lettuce, long chili, long pepper, longgan, malunggay, mango, mangosteen, marang, melon, mushroom, mustard, mung bean, okra, onion, onion leeks, orange, oregano, pandan, papaya, patani, patola, pea, peanut, pechay, pili nut, pineapple, pomelo, potato, radish, rambutan, santol, snap bean, soybean, spinach, squash, star apple, strawberry, string bean, sugarcane, sweet pepper, sweet potato, talinum, tamarind, taro, tobacco, tomato, turmeric, ube, upo, watermelon, and winged bean.
Reproductive Stage (Heading – rice; Tasseling/Silking – corn)
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, Caraga, SOCCSKSARGEN, and BARMM
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Davao Region, Caraga, and SOCCSKSARGEN
Maturing/Ripening
  • Rice –Central Luzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and BARMM
  • Corn –CALABARZON, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region,
Harvesting Stage
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, , Cordillera Administrative Region CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, , Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region
  • Alugbati, ampalaya, avocado, baguio beans, bamboo shoot, banana, batao, beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cacao, cadios, calamansi, camote tops, carrot, cashew, cassava, celery, cherry tomato, chico, chayote, chili, chinese melon, coconut, coffee, cucumber, dalandan, dragon fruit, durian, eggplant, fern leaves, garlic, ginger, green onions, guava, guyabano, habichuelas, honeydew, jackfruit, kale, kangkong, kulitis, lemongrass, lemon, lettuce, long pepper, malunggay, mango, mangosteen, marang, melon, mushroom, mung bean, okra, onion, onion leeks, orange, oregano, pandan, papaya, passion fruit, patani, patola, peanut, pechay, pili nut, pineapple, pomelo, pomegranate, potato, radish, rambutan, saluyot, snap beans, soybean, spinach, squash, star apple, string bean, sugarcane, sweet pepper, sweet potato, talinum, tamarind, taro, tobacco, tomato, turmeric, turnip, ubod, ube, upo, watermelon, and winged bean
Agroclimatic Outlook for March 2025
  • The weather systems expected to affect the country in March include the Northeast (NE) Monsoon, shear line, ridge of high-pressure areas (HPAs), easterlies, intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), low-pressure areas (LPAs), and localized thunderstorms.
  • Zero or one (0–1) tropical cyclone (TC) may enter or develop within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) during the month.
  • As illustrated in Figure 2, most parts of the country will experience above normal rainfall conditions specifically in the provinces in Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Central Visayas, and Western Mindanao. Meanwhile, some parts of Cordilleras are expected to receive near normal rainfall, while some parts of the Ilocos Region are likely to experience below normal rainfall conditions.

FARM ADVISORY
Enhance the long-term productivity of the farm by practicing crop rotation and diversifying crops. Install efficient irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation, to reduce water waste and maintain consistent moisture levels for crops. Apply mulch (like straw, grass clippings, or wood chips) to conserve soil moisture, reduce evaporation, and keep roots cool. Improve the soil’s water retention by incorporating various organic materials. Regularly inspect crops for pests and diseases, taking prompt action to address any outbreaks.
Ensure barns and crop storage areas are kept dry, well-ventilated, and in good condition, as persistent wet weather can foster fungal growth, potentially damaging farm products and lowering both their quality and market value.
Forecast Mean Temperature Anomaly
Generally, near-average to above-average surface air temperatures are expected in most parts of the country except in some parts of MIMAROPA where slightly below-average temperatures are expected.

ENSO ALERT SYSTEM STATUS
LA NIÑA ALERT
(as of 06 March 2025)
La Niña conditions remain present in the tropical Pacific and are expected to persist through the February-March-April 2025 season. This condition increases the likelihood of having above-normal rainfall conditions, which could lead to potential adverse impacts such as heavy rainfall, floods, flash floods, and rain-induced landslides over highly vulnerable areas.
Most climate models suggest a transition to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral phase during the March-April-May 2025 season.
PAGASA will continue to closely monitor the climate conditions that may affect the country and updates shall be issued as appropriate. For further information, please contact the Climatology and Agrometeorology Division (CAD) at telephone number 8284-0800, local 4915.

For the simplified version, please download at: https://bit.ly/SimplifiedMPARO

Luzon
Upland: 11.6 ºC – 28.0 ºC
Lowland: 18.6 ºC – 37.5 ºC
Visayas
Lowland: 21.0 ºC – 35.7 ºC
Mindanao
Upland: 14.3 ºC – 34.0ºC
Lowland: 21.0 ºC – 36.0 ºC
Prepared:MTR
Checked:MEVT
Approved:TAC
Uploaded:ARL