Eastern visayas: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has intensified its soil testing program in Eastern Visayas to expand the understanding of soil health and provide accurate recommendations to farmers in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DA regional office announced in a news release that the deployment of the mobile soils laboratory (MSL) has enabled the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) to conduct hands-on training aimed at enhancing the skills of technical personnel in soil testing and analysis. This initiative is designed to improve local expertise and ensure that mobile laboratories deliver fast, reliable, and science-based soil health assessments to farming communities across the country.

The BSWM introduced the first-ever MSL in Eastern Visayas on September 3 as part of a nationwide program to offer on-site soil testing and provide real-time results to farmers. “The project’s goal is to help farmers make more informed decisions, leading to healthier soil and increased crop yields. This marks a significant advancement for science-based, sustainable agriculture in Eastern Visayas,” the DA stated.

Prior to the deployment of the mobile laboratory, experts from the DA regional office conducted training on the use of the soil test kit (STK) for farmers throughout Leyte province. The STK is a simple, cost-effective, and portable tool that allows farmers to quickly identify macro- and micronutrient deficiencies in soil, which may hinder its productivity for rice and other crops. The kit also provides recommendations for the appropriate type and amount of fertilizer for specific land areas.

Eastern Visayas is predominantly an agricultural region, with 45 percent, or 976,415 hectares, of its total land area dedicated to agricultural production. Despite these resources, growth in the farming sector has been sluggish over the years, as indicated by its declining share in the regional economy, according to the DA.