The front view view of the state-of-the-art soils lab in Agusan del Sur situated beside the Provincial Agriculture Office at the Capitol complex, as planned. Photos courtesy of the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. led on Friday the groundbreaking rites for the P250-million state-of-the-art soils laboratory at the provincial capitol government center complex in this town.
The modern soils laboratory, the first of its kind in the country, is capable of physical, chemical, and biological characterization of soils using a range of advanced analytical capabilities.
It can analyze 50-100 samples per day, thus ensuring that test results are released in less than two to three days. The laboratory can analyze soils, plants, water, fertilizer, and gas samples. It boasts a spacious laboratory with a floor area of 1,687 square meters.
The laboratory, which is expected to help significantly increase the yield of farmers, who are under the Upland Sustainable Agroforestry Development (USAD) program of the provincial government, is the brainchild of Rep. Adolph Edward Plaza of Agusan del Sur’s second district.
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In a study, the provincial government emphasized “the need to assess, know, and take care of our soil which can only (be done) if we invest in modern and state-of-the-art soil testing facilities.”
The study also noted that while there had been substantial investments in seed quality and training, there had been limited investment in soil testing and soil nutrient management.
President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. is briefed on the construction progress of the Agusan del Sur State of the Art Soils Laboratory in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, on February 16, 2024. Photo by Yummie Dingding PPA POOL
The President arrived around 10:30 a.m. in this town and was welcomed by officials of the provincial government led by Plaza, Gov. Santiago Cane, Jr., several dignitaries, local officials in Caraga region, and heads of government agencies.
The President joined the team for the site visitation of the soil laboratory located within the compound of the government center in Patin-ay, and was briefed about the USAD program of the province.
“I am also extremely pleased with the establishment of the Agusan Del Sur Provincial Soils Laboratory by the provincial government of Agusan del Sur, the first and the modern one of its kind in Mindanao,” Marcos said in his speech.
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The development of the soil laboratory is in partnership with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, and is aimed at bolstering the agricultural productivity of farmers in this landlocked province.
During the site visit, the President also distributed some 2,400 bags of rice seeds at 20 kilos per bag; 4,872 pouches of vegetable seeds; and 495 kilos of rodenticide to farmer-beneficiaries of the provincial government of Agusan del Sur. With a report from Jean Mangaluz, INQUIRER.net
The interior view of the state-of-the-art soils lab in Agusan del Sur.