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

March 2025

Simplified Version Monthly Agroclimatic Review and Outlook
 


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

On 25 March 2025, PAGASA issued a Press Release for the termination of the Northeast Monsoon, signifying the start of warm and dry season.

As illustrated in Figure 1, above normal rainfall was observed in most parts of Luzon except in western section which received below or near normal rainfall. Most parts of Visayas received below normal rainfall while Mindanao had a range of below normal to above normal rainfall.

The highest recorded rainfall for the month was at Borongan Synoptic Station (294.0 mm), followed by Catbalogan Synoptic Station (177.5 mm), and Guiuan Synoptic Station (175.4 mm).

No tropical cyclone entered or developed within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) during the month.
SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION
  • Wet – Aurora, most parts of Bulacan, Alabat Infanta, Tayabas, Aborlan, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Mambusao, Eastern Visayas, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur
  • Moist – Mulanay, Oriental Mindoro, Northern and Central parts of Palawan, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Siquijor, Zamboanga del Norte, and Maguindanao
  • Dry – Rest of the country
TEMPERATURE
  • Generally, most parts of the country experienced near-average to warmer than average mean surface air temperatures.
  • Subic, Zambales recorded the highest maximum temperature of 37.4°C on March 28, while Baguio Synoptic Station registered the lowest temperature at 13.2°C on March 22.

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, Bicol Region, 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, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas
  • Corn – Ilocos Region
Vegetative Stage (tillering, head development)
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, and BARMM
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, and BARMM
  • Ampalaya, cassava, chayote, chili pepper, ginger, malunggay, alukon, kangkong, mustard, lettuce, mushroom, mung bean, okra, garlic, onion, patola, pechay, carrot, potato, squash, string bean, sweet pepper, sweet potato, taro, ube, upo, winged bean, peanut, soybean, eggplant, fern leaves, cabbage, cowpea, lemongrass, Baguio beans, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, carrot, celery, cucumber, kinchay, onion leeks, radish, tomato, patani, bok choy, upo, oregano, basil, pandan, talinum, spinach, kamansi, arrowroot, batao, cadios, snap bean, pandan, onion leeks, turmeric, tapilan, sugarcane, tobacco, papaya, avocado, banana, coconut, coffee, guava, chico, dragon fruit, guyabano, jackfruit, mango, condol, cacao, tamarind, honeydew, lemon, longan, orange, turnip, strawberry, watermelon, melon, pomelo, rambutan, aratilis, star apple, calamansi, cashew, pineapple, kamias, lanzones, star fruit, mangosteen, santol, dalandan, pili nut, abaca, rubber, durian, and marang
Reproductive Stage (Heading – rice; Tasseling/Silking – corn)
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, and BARMM
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and BARMM
Maturing/Ripening
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, and SOCCSKSARGEN
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Davao Region
Harvesting Stage
  • Rice – Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region
  • Corn – Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region
  • Peanut, chili pepper, eggplant, ginger, camote tops, kangkong, lettuce, malunggay, mung bean, mustard, okra, onion, onion leeks, garlic, pechay, radish, spinach, squash, string bean, sweet pepper, sweet potato, talinum, taro, tomato, winged bean, cucumber, cabbage, broccoli, Baguio beans, cassava, carrot, chili pepper, chayote, cucumber, long pepper, celery, patola, lemongrass, ampalaya, bok choy, ube, upo, alugbati, spinach, oregano, French beans, sweet pea, coriander, cilantro, kamansi, cadios, mushroom, pandan, snap bean, cassava, okra, pechay, patola, chili pepper, pandan, cucurbits, habichuelas, cauliflower, soybean, saluyot, turmeric, avocado, banana, star apple, papaya, coconut, calamansi, mango, coffee, tamarind, strawberry, cacao, guyabano, lemon, watermelon, honeydew, guyabano, dragon fruit, turnip, tamarind, chico, avocado, jackfruit, melon, catmon fruit, santol, cashew, star apple, pili nut, guava, dalandan, sugarcane, mangosteen, pomelo, durian, pineapple, and marang
  • The weather systems that will affect the country in April are the 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, near to below normal rainfall will be experienced in Luzon and Visayas with some patches of way below normal in Luzon. Mindanao will generally have near normal rainfall conditions.
FARM ADVISORY
Extreme heat causes internal water stress in crops, weakens, and destroys standing crops. Watering crops during early morning and evening periods will help alleviate stress on crops. In areas with insufficient water supply, drip irrigation is one economical way of maintaining the moisture required by the crops. Mulching can also be done to prevent the rapid loss of soil moisture so as to maintain the good growing condition of the crops.
Forecast Mean Temperature Anomaly
Near to above average surface temperatures are expected in most parts of the country, with several areas showing patches of slightly cooler conditions, particularly in Northern and Southern Luzon.
ENSO ALERT SYSTEM STATUS
Recent DOST-PAGASA’s climate monitoring and analyses show that La Niña conditions are no longer present in the central and equatorial Pacific (CEEP). The sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) reached ENSO-neutral levels. La Niña-like patterns of above normal rainfall in some parts of Luzon, most parts of Bicol, eastern Visayas and northeastern Mindanao are not likely to linger, as noted in the forecasts.

With this development, DOST-PAGASA ENSO Alert and Warning System Status is “INACTIVE” (El Niño or La Niña conditions are not observed or expected to develop in the tropical Pacific within the next three (3) months) and ENSO-neutral condition is favored until September - October-November 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
Prepared : RAAM
Checked : MEVT
Approved : TAC
Uploaded : RVDD