Department of Science and Technology
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration
Monthly Philippine Agro-climatic Review and Outlook

January 2025

Simplified Version Monthly Agroclimatic Review and Outlook
 


In January, the country experienced various weather systems, including the Northeast (NE) monsoon, low-pressure areas (LPAs), shear line, intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), easterlies, and localized thunderstorms.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council's Progress Report for January 2025, these systems brought continuous heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding, flash floods, and rain-induced landslides in several municipalities across Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Davao Occidental, and Davao de Oro.

As illustrated in Figure 1, most parts of the country experienced near to above-normal rainfall in January, except for areas with below-normal rainfall over Caraga, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Occidental Mindoro, Rizal, and Bulacan. Meanwhile, Cavite, Bataan, and Metro Manila recorded way-below-normal rainfall conditions. The highest recorded rainfall for the month was at Catarman Synoptic Station (1,057.0 mm), followed by Sorsogon Synoptic Station (1,054.8 mm) and UEP, Catarman (995.9 mm).

No tropical cyclone entered or developed within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) during the month.
SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION
  • Wet – Batanes, Baler, Quezon, Romblon, Bicol Region, Capiz, Bohol, Eastern Visayas, Davao del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Lanao del Sur
  • Moist – Cagayan, Isabela, Casiguran, Laguna, Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, some portions of Palawan, Siquijor, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, and Maguindanao
  • Dry – Rest of the country
TEMPERATURE
Overall, most parts of the country experienced slightly warmer to warmer-than-average temperatures, except for Extreme Northern Luzon, Romblon, and Northern Palawan, where temperatures ranged from slightly below to below average.

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro recorded the highest maximum temperature of 35.8°C on January 17, while BSU La Trinidad Agromet Station registered the lowest temperature at 9.4°C on January 25.

FARM OPERATIONS
Cleaning of farms, backyard gardens, canals, and dikes
Drainage system monitoring and repairClearing land and field preparation
Composting and organic fertilizer production
Copra making and nut drying
Drying and milling of rice and corn
Milling of sugarcane
Farm equipment maintenance
Mulching		 Delivery of fresh produce to the marketFertilizer application and nutrient management
Field monitoring and farm maintenance
Fungicide and pesticide spraying
Irrigation and water management
Pest and disease control, monitoring, and management
Plowing and harrowing
Pruning and trimming of fruit trees
Weeding and weed control
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, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao
Planting and Transplanting (broadcasting / direct seeding – for rice, corn, conventional way/ by rows - other cash crops)
  • Rice – Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga, and BARMM
  • Corn – Eastern Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula
Vegetative Stage (tillering, head development)
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, , Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, and BARMM
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, SOCCSKSARGEN, and BARMM
  • Abaca, alugbati, ampalaya, aratilis, arrowroot, asparagus, avocado, Baguio beans, banana, basil, batao, beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cadios, cacao, cactus, calamansi, camote tops, carrot, cashew, cassava, cauliflower, celery, chico, chili, chili pepper, chayote, coconut, coffee, condol, cowpea, cucumber, dalandan, dragon fruit, durian, eggplant, fern leaves, garlic, ginger, green onions, guava, guyabano, habichuelas, honeydew, jackfruit, kamansi, kamias, kangkong, kinchay, 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, rubber, santol, snap bean, soybean, spinach, squash, star apple, strawberry, string bean, sugarcane, sweet pepper, sweet potato, talinum, tamarind, tapilan, taro, tobacco, tomato, turmeric, turnip, ube, upo, watermelon, and winged bean
Reproductive Stage (Heading – rice; Tasseling/Silking – corn)
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and SOCCSKSARGEN
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, and SOCCSKSARGEN
  • Maturing/Ripening
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and BARMM
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and BARMM
Harvesting Stage
  • Rice –Central Luzon, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and BARMM
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and BARMM
  • Alukon, alugbati, ampalaya, avocado, baguio beans, bamboo shoot, banana, banana blossom, batao, beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cacao, cadios, calamansi, camote tops, carrot, cashew, cassava, celery, cherry tomato, chico, chayote, chili, chili pepper, chinese melon, coconut, coffee, cucumber, dalandan, dragon fruit, durian, eggplant, fern leaves, garlic, ginger, green onions, guava, guyabano, habichuelas, honeydew, jackfruit, kale, kamansi, kangkong, kulitis, lemongrass, lemon, lettuce, long pepper, malunggay, mango, mangosteen, marang, melon, mushroom, mung bean, mustard greens, okra, onion, onion leeks, orange, oregano, pako, 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, watercress, watermelon, winged bean, and yacon











  • The weather systems expected to affect the country in February include the Northeast (NE) Monsoon, shear line, ridge of high-pressure areas (HPAs), easterlies, intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), low-pressure areas (LPAs), frontal system, 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 are expected to experience near- to above-normal rainfall conditions. However, way below-normal rainfall is anticipated in Abra and Ilocos Norte, while below-normal rainfall is expected in Ilocos Sur, Pampanga, and Tarlac.
Apply mulch to retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, suppress weeds, and reduce fungal disease risks by maintaining consistent soil conditions and preventing waterlogging. Regularly check for early signs of diseases like blight, rust, or molds. Intervene early with fungicides or organic treatments to reduce the spread of infections. Store harvested crops in cool, dry, and well-ventilated areas to reduce the chance of mold and rot, preserving quality and extending shelf life. Wrap crops securely before transporting them to the market to protect them from physical damage, temperature fluctuations, and contamination, ensuring they remain fresh and appealing to buyers.
Forecast Mean Temperature Anomaly
Generally, near average to warmer than average surface air temperatures are expected in most parts of the country during the forecast period except for slightly cooler to cooler than average temperatures over Extreme Northern Luzon, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Romblon, Bohol, and Southern Leyte.
LA NIÑA ALERT
(as of 05 February 2025)
La Niña conditions are still present in the tropical Pacific, as below average sea surface temperatures were observed. Most climate models suggest La Niña will persist through February-March-April 2025 season and then transition to ENSO-neutral during March-April-May 2025.
This condition increases the likelihood of having above-normal rainfall which could lead to potential adverse impacts such as heavy rainfall, floods, flash floods, and rain-induced landslides over highly vulnerable areas.
Prepared:MTR
Checked:MEVT
Approved:TAC
Uploaded:JOT