PAGASA

DEKAD NO. 09 21 – 31 MARCH 2023

Philippine Agri-Weather Forecast

The weather systems that will likely affect the whole country are the easterlies, ridge of High Pressure Area (HPA), low pressure area (LPA) and localized thunderstorms.

Generally warm and fair weather condition will be experienced over the entire archipelago during the first half of the dekad. However, during the remaining days of the forecast period, most parts of Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN and BARMM will have scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms while the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with some chances of isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Generally, winds coming from the east to southeast will blow over Northern Luzon while the remaining parts of the country will have winds from the east to northeast.

During the first half of the dekad, slight to moderate seas will be experienced over the entire archipelago. After this, the northern seaboard of Luzon will have moderate to rough seas while the rest of the country will have slight to moderate seas
ENSO-neutral conditions are now present in the tropical Pacific. La Niña has ended and ENSO-neutral condition is expected to continue until May-June-July (MJJ) 2023 season; an increased likelihood of a transition to El Niño phase thereafter.

Farm Advisories

DA, GIZ Collaborate on Communication Planning for Coconut, Cacao, Coffee
Author: Jun Christopher Balangatan | 17 March 2023

Representatives from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the Department of Agriculture (DA) held a joint workshop on Knowledge Management (KM) and Communications Planning to develop knowledge products and learning platforms related to cacao, coconut, and coffee.

The two-day workshop brought together representatives from various organizations, including GIZ, DA-High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), Special Projects Coordination and Management Assistance Division, Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards, Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

In her opening message, ATI Assistant Director Niet Arceo thanked the participants and emphasized the importance of sharing knowledge so that farmers use it productively.

Meanwhile, DA-HVCDP and BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban discussed the policy directions for the coffee and cacao industry in a video presentation. He emphasized the need to “strategize, optimize, and synergize” policies and programs to enable farmers to maximize their yield and improve the quality of their crops.

The participants were grouped into three teams to discuss communication strategies for promoting the coconut, cacao, and coffee industries.

Representatives from the PCA led the discussion for coconut, including the industry's current situation and analysis of its strengths and threats. The group proposed to highlight the income opportunities in the coconut industry and the benefits of sustainable value chains, appropriate technologies, and balanced export and domestic consumption.

For cacao, representatives from the DA and GIZ discussed the challenges faced by local farmers, such as low productivity and low return on investment for producers. They suggested collaborating with other industries and promote cacao beyond the usual messaging.

“There is a high demand for cacao that the Philippines can take advantage of and share equitably among cacao stakeholders,” the group noted.

Meanwhile, the 2021-2025 roadmap was discussed for coffee where the need for direct messaging for the private sector, particularly investors and processors, was underscored. The team emphasized the importance of technology promotion, advocacy, and policy to improve the industry.

GIZ Philippines’ Chief Advisor for Development Partnerships with the Private Sector in Agriculture, Cornelia Skokov, commended the group for being easy to work with, as all Filipinos are. She emphasized the need for continued discussions and incorporating innovative approaches to enhance agricultural practices in the country.

The joint DA-GIZ Knowledge Management and Communications Planning Workshop was held last March 9 to 10, 2023 at the ATI Central Office compound in this city.

Source:
* https://ati2.da.gov.ph/ati-main/content/article/jun-christopher-balangatan/da-giz-collaborate-communication-planning-coconut-cacao-coffee

Regional Agrometeorological Situation and Prognosis

Region 1 Ilocos Region Region 2 Cagayan Valley CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region) Region 3 Central Luzon NCR (National Capital Region) Region 4A CALABARZON Region 4B MIMAROPA Region 5 Bicol Region Region 6 Western Visayas Region 7 Central Visayas Region 8 Eastern Visayas Region 9 Zamboanga Peninsula Region 10 Northern Mindanao Region 11 Davao Region Region 12 SOCCSKSARGEN Region 13 CARAGA BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao)

Region 1 Ilocos Region

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

0 – 25

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

0 – 3

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Dry

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

45 – 95

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

18 – 35

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Some lowland and irrigated areas are in transplanting for third cropping while others are in vegetative and harvesting stages. Corn are in maturity and harvesting stages. Planting of mung bean, peanut, string bean, cowpea, eggplant, kangkong, lettuce, mustard, okra, pechay, patola, and ampalaya is being done. Growing of tobacco continues. Harvesting of local repolyo, tomato, petchay, local carrot, garlic, onion, squash, native, purple, red & sweet corn, mango and other seasonal fruits and leafy vegetables is in progress. Watering, fertilizer application and land preparation are still ongoing.

Region 2 Cagayan Valley

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

0 – 25

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

1 – 4

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Moist – Calayan, Aparri and Basco; Dry – rest of the region

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

57 – 99

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

17 – 32

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Some rice are in reproductive stage. Late planted rice are in ripening and maturing stages. Harvesting of rice and corn continues. Late planted corn on hard dough stage. Harvesting of camote, eggplant, tomato, onion, cucumber, cabbage, broccoli, baguio beans, banana, calamansi, sweet potato, mango and squash is still ongoing. Sun drying, threshing, and milling of rice still ongoing. Solar drying of corn is also ongoing. Fertilizer application, irrigation, and spraying of pesticides are being performed.

CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region)

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

0 – 30

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

0 – 3

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Dry

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

60 – 99

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

10 – 25

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Land preparation continues. Planting of coffee, ginger, ampalaya, eggplant, potato, cabbage, pepper, tomato, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, onion, garlic, and lettuce is ongoing. Growing of broccoli and wombok is ongoing. Harvesting of carrot, cabbage, radish, radish, lettuce, chayote, pepper, lemon, coffee, wombok cabbage, broccoli, calamansi, avocado, banana, mango, and strawberry continues. Watering plant and fertilizer application are being done.

Region 3 Central Luzon

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

0 – 25

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

1 – 4

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Moist – Bataan, Bulacan and Tarlac; Dry – rest of the region

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

57 – 95

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

19 – 34

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Early variety of rice are in flowering stage, some are in ripening, maturing and harvesting stages. Planting of ampalaya, onion, sweet potato, tomato, string bean, lettuce, cabbage, kangkong, eggplant, okra, patola, squash, and upo is ongoing. Harvesting of papaya, banana, avocado, mango, star apple, guava, tomato, calamansi, string bean, eggplant, okra, pechay, patola, squash, ampalaya, upo, cassava, ubi, taro and sweet potato is still in progress. Pesticide and fertilizer applications are ongoing.

NCR (National Capital Region)

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

0 – 25

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

0 – 3

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Dry

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

40 – 96

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

22 – 33

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Growing of ampalaya, patola, upo, okra, pechay, alugbati, malunggay, tomato, chili, squash, camote tops, lettuce, wild berries, and herbs in the backyard, rooftop, and balcony is underway. Harvesting of eggplant, tomato, banana, papaya, mango, guyabano, lettuce, alugbati, pechay, okra, ampalaya, chili, calamansi, malunggay, camote tops, lemon grass, kangkong, and mustard is ongoing. Watering and application of fertilizer continue.

Region 4A CALABARZON

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

0 – 25

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

1 – 4

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Wet – Quezon; Moist – Laguna and Rizal Dry – rest of the region

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

50 – 97

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

Upland: 19 – 31; Lowland: 22 – 33

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Land preparation and transplanting continue. Some rice and corn are in reproductive, ripening, maturing and harvesting stages. Planting of papaya, lettuce, tomato, pepper, okra, eggplant, mung bean, string bean, ampalaya, chayote, patola, upo, pechay, ginger, garlic, and onion is being done. Harvesting of banana, melon, watermelon, sweet potato, coconut, coffee, banana, pineapple, mango, cucumber, upo, chayote, tomatoes, eggplant, string beans, ampalaya, pechay, squash, and radish, camote, eggplant, and other seasonal fruits/veggies is taking place. Copra making continues. Watering and application of fertilizer are ongoing.

Region 4B MIMAROPA

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

0 – 25

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

1 – 4

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Wet – Romblon, southern Palawan; Moist – central Palawan Dry – rest of the region

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

50 – 97

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

22 – 34

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Most rice are still in vegetative stage. Some rice and corn are in different stages. Santol and mango in flowering stage. Planting of papaya, banana, coconut cowpea, kangkong, lettuce, mustard, okra, pechay, string bean, patola, mungbean, cashew, cadios, sweet potato, eggplant, okra, chayote, cucumber, ampalaya, chili, sweet pepper, and tomato is ongoing. Harvesting of papaya, guava, watermelon, jackfruit, coconut, banana, pineapple, squash, okra, lettuce, string bean, pechay, cassava, onion, garlic, tomato, eggplant, ginger, radish, sweet potato, taro and calamansi is taking place.

Region 5 Bicol Region

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

0 – 75

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

2 – 5

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Wet – Romblon, southern Palawan; Moist – central Palawan Dry – rest of the region

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

50 – 98

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

22 – 34

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Some farmlands are in land preparation stage. Most rice are in vegetative stage. Planting of cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, mustard, ampalaya, cucumber, squash, okra, mung bean, gabi, taro, sweet potato, cassava, sweet pepper, chili, ginger, onion, garlic, tomato, spinach, coconut, banana, papaya, and watermelon is being done. Harvesting of eggplant, okra, tomato, mustard, malunggay, ginger, chili, chayote, squash, banana, papaya, dragon fruit, mango, rambutan, calamansi, pili nuts, rambutan, banana, pineapple, and coconut is still in progress. Watering activities, fertilizer application, removal of weeds, irrigation, and spraying of pesticides continue.

Region 6 Western Visayas

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

0 – 30

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

0 – 3

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Wet – Capiz; Dry – rest of the region

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

48 – 97

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

22 – 34

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Land and seedbed preparations are being done. In some farm areas, rice are in vegetative, maturing and harvesting stages. Planting of sugarcane, cabbage, upo, patola, squash, peanut, eggplant, pechay, ampalaya, mustard, sweet potato, taro, chili and avocado is ongoing. Harvesting of pechay, eggplant, squash, cabbage, string bean, radish, carrot, tomato, green onion, pepper, okra, sweet potato, ampalaya, alugbati, mango, watermelon, calamansi, banana, papaya and avocado is being done. Rambutan are in flowering stage. Harvesting and milling of sugarcane continue. Irrigation and cultivation of newly planted sugarcane in some areas are still in progress. Water management, pest monitoring, cleaning of canals and dikes, weeding, and fertilizer application are ongoing. Solar drying of rice is also ongoing

Region 7 Central Visayas

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

0 – 75

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

1 – 5

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Moist – Negros Oriental and Bohol; Dry – rest of the region

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

60 – 98

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

24 – 32

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Most rice and corn are in vegetative and reproductive stages while some are in maturity and harvesting stages. Planting of lettuce, carrot, peanut, cauliflower, sweet pepper, pechay, coconut, banana, papaya, string bean, mung bean, tomato, squash, okra, alugbati, kangkong, malunggay, ampalaya, eggplant is ongoing. Harvesting of banana, papaya, mango string bean, winged bean, soybean, mustard, okra, eggplant, squash, tomato, cucumber, chayote, taro, turmeric, ginger, cassava, sweet potato, cassava, and peanut, is ongoing. Sun drying, threshing, and milling of rice continue.

Region 8 Eastern Visayas

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

10 – 125

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

4 – 8

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Wet – most parts of the region Dry – Maasin

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

50 – 99

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

22 – 35

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Most rice and corn are in harvesting stage. In some farm areas, rice are in ripening and maturing stages. Planting of cabbage, chayote, mushroom, lettuce, mustard, pechay, upo, patola, spinach, coconut and watermelon is still ongoing. Harvesting of ampalaya, okra, string bean, kangkong, squash, pechay, cucurbits, upo, tomato, onion, garlic, ginger, chili, chayote, calamansi, banana, papaya, pineapple, mango, jackfruit and lanzones is ongoing. Cleaning of farm lands, dikes and canals is being performed. Copra making is in progress. Solar drying of rice and corn continues.

Region 9 Zamboanga Peninsula

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

0 – 50

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

3 – 7

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Dry

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

40 – 97

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

22 – 36

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Rice are in ripening and maturing stages while corn are in reproductive and maturing stages. Planting of banana, pechay, mustard, eggplant, okra, tomato, sweet potato, cabbage, string bean, rubber and coconut is in progress. Harvesting of sweet potato, taro, cassava, cucumber, patola, upo, sweet pepper, string bean, cabbage, pechay, garlic, squash, calamansi, eggplant, okra, coconut, banana, papaya, pineapple, marang, pomelo, watermelon, durian and rambutan is taking place. Watering management activities, fertilizer application, removal of weeds, irrigation, and spraying of pesticides continue. Delivery of fresh produce in the market continues

Region 10 Northern Mindanao

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

0 – 50

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

3 – 7

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Dry

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

45 – 98

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

Upland: 19 – 33; Lowland: 22 – 35

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Rice are in ripening, maturing and harvesting stages. Planting of lettuce, upo, peanut, cauliflower, celery, chayote, onion leeks, onion, squash, cucumber, banana, melon and watermelon is in progress Harvesting of pechay, potato, carrot, cucumber, ampalaya, string bean, cassava, sweet potato, peanut, tomato, cabbage, chayote, calamansi, banana, mango, marang, lanzones, rambutan, pomelo and guyabano is taking place. Solar drying of rice and corn is in progress.

.

Region 11 Davao Region

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

0 – 50

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

3 – 7

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Moist – some parts of the region; Dry – Davao City

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

48 – 98

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

Upland: 19 – 33; Lowland: 22 – 35

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Rice are in ripening and maturing stages. Planting of string bean, cabbage, celery, mung bean, patani, seguidillas, lettuce, cucumber, eggplant, pechay, sweet potato, patola, tomato and upo is ongoing. Harvesting of okra, chayote, squash, ampalaya, sweet potato, potato, cauliflower, eggplant, string bean, carrot, radish, pechay, lettuce, broccoli, cucumber, coconut, watermelon, melon, pineapple, banana, papaya, durian and mango is in progress. Water management, pest monitoring, weeding, fertilizer and pesticide applications, and cleaning of canals and dikes are taking place. Copra making is being done

Region 12 SOCCSKSARGEN

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

0 – 20

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

0 – 4

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Dry

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

58 – 97

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

Upland: 18 – 34; Lowland: 22 – 35

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Rice and corn are in maturing and harvesting stages while some are in vegetative stage. Planting of lettuce, mushroom, carrot, string bean, cabbage, spinach, coffee, celery, potato, chayote and cucumber is still being done. Harvesting of upo, patola, cassava, ampalaya, okra, tomato, eggplant, coconut, durian, pomelo, rambutan, mango, pineapple, papaya, guyabano, lanzones, banana and coffee is ongoing. Watering activities, removal of weeds, and fertilizer application are being done. Delivery of fresh produce in the market is being done. Solar drying of rice and corn is in progress

Region 13 CARAGA

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

20 – 125

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

5 – 9

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Moist – Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur; Dry – rest of the region

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

45 – 99

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

Upland: 20 – 34; Lowland: 22 – 35

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Rice are in vegetative, ripening, maturing and harvesting stages. Most corn are in reproductive and maturing stages. Planting of cabbage, chayote, cauliflower, lettuce, mustard, eggplant, ampalaya, cucumber, string bean, papaya, banana and coconut is ongoing. Harvesting of sweet potato, gabi, taro, cassava, peanut, ginger, okra, chayote, ampalaya, potato, eggplant, string bean, pechay, lettuce, cucumber, banana, guyabano and pomelo is being done. Solar drying of rice is in progress.

BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao)

Forecast Rainfall (mm):

10 – 100

Rainy Days (0.1mm or more):

3 – 7

Actual Soil Moisture Condition:

Dry

Range of Relative Humidity (%):

53 – 97

Min - Max Temperature (°C):

Upland: 18 – 34; Lowland: 22 – 35

Crop Phenology, Situation and Farm Activities:

Rice are in reproductive, ripening, maturing, and harvesting stages while corn are in reproductive, maturing and harvesting stages. Planting of carrot, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, lemon, lettuce, pechay, gabi, sweet potato, garlic, taro, cassava, banana, coconut, papaya, durian, and pomelo is ongoing. Harvesting of pechay, cabbage, sweet potato, cassava, coffee, carrot, string bean, potato, calamansi, banana, guyabano, pomelo, papaya, mango and watermelon is still being done. Fertilizer application, removal of weeds, cultivation of farm areas, and cleaning of canals and dikes are in progress

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