ILOILO City – The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas will shift from traditional information caravans to direct, on-site agricultural interventions starting 2026 as it launches “services on wheels” across local government units (LGUs) in the region.
The initiative is designed to bring DA’s technical services straight to the farms, allowing growers immediate access to soil testing, pest diagnosis, livestock and poultry disinfection, animal health care, and real-time consultations with experts.
DA Region 6 information officer James Earl Ogatis said the shift represents a major upgrade from previous outreach activities that focused mostly on lectures.
“Basically ang na-andan namon nga himuon sang nagligad nga information caravan, ang aton technical person nagahambal lang sa atubang sang farmers. Subong action na ang pagadal-on naton. So, makita gid nila kon paano ang DA maghatag sang serbisyo sa aton mangungoma,” Ogatis said.
Mobile labs, clinics, and animal care services
Among the components of the “services on wheels” package are the mobile soil laboratory, mobile disinfection vehicle, mobile pest clinic, and an agriculture mobile information provider.
The solar-powered mobile soil laboratory will visit LGUs to test soil samples collected by farmers to determine which crops — such as rice or high-value vegetables — are suitable for their fields.
While soil testing is conducted, a mobile disinfection vehicle will travel around communities to sanitize poultry and livestock areas, similar to operations deployed during the peak of the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.
The mobile pest clinic will identify insects and diseases attacking farmers’ crops based on specimens brought by farmer-leaders.
“Ang aton mobile pest clinic, i-require sang LGUs aton farmers leaders nga magdala sang specimen… ipa-diagnose sa aton expert para makita naton ano ang insakto nga management… Early detection sa mga peste kinahanglanon gid para maka-rollout sang proper management,” Ogatis added.
The DA will also provide rabies vaccination, spaying and neutering of cats and dogs, and deworming for livestock during the caravan.
Experts on site, full program showcase
Aside from mobile machinery, the DA will set up a program caravan at LGU venues or covered gyms. Various agricultural machines given to farmers’ cooperatives will be showcased, while experts in rice and corn, livestock, poultry, organic agriculture, and Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) programs will be available for one-on-one consultations.
Tables for “cliniquing” will allow farmers to raise field concerns directly with specialists.
The DA-6 expects the initiative to significantly improve access to government support, particularly for far-flung farmers who rarely visit regional offices./PN
