Iloilo: The Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas, through its Integrated Laboratories Division, will roll out its mobile soil laboratory (MSL) in the first district of Iloilo this week. In a deployment activity and technical advisory for farmers on Monday, Integrated Laboratories Division officer-in-charge Chief, Dr. Lerisa Balope±os said the activity hosted by the municipality of Guimbal on Dec. 9 to 12 is their first deployment.

According to Philippines News Agency, Balope±os stated the deployment will be a crucial one and will involve all their soil scientists, with a target release of results in three days. The activity aims to provide site-specific fertilizer recommendations based on soil analysis, capacitate farmers and agricultural extension workers on soil and nutrient management, update soil health and soil fertility map data, and monitor soil chemical, physical, and biological parameters.

The initiative will also provide an adaptive balance fertilization strategy (ABFS), crop protection, and weather/adaptation and mitigation initiatives in agriculture. Currently, the MSL is equipped to test soil parameters for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as acidity or alkalinity. Balope±os mentioned plans to expand the range of soil parameters tested by next year.

The MSL’s deployment in other provinces of Western Visayas is planned after completing its mission in Iloilo. Balope±os emphasized the importance of aligning the tests with the planting season to accurately determine the fertilizers required for different soil types.

James Earl Ogatis, chief of the agri-fishery information section, announced that starting next year, their agricultural information caravan will transition into an agricultural services caravan. The new format will include the MSL, an agricultural information provider, a mobile disinfection vehicle, and the regional crop protection vehicle (mobile pest and disease laboratory) to be brought to local government units.