ILOILO City – To enhance agricultural productivity and reduce fertilizer misuse, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 received a cutting-edge mobile soil laboratory from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., aimed at helping farmers in Western Visayas better understand and manage their soil health.
The mobile unit was among 16 distributed by the President on June 30 in Nueva Ecija province, part of a broader government push for science-based agricultural support. DA-6 regional executive director Dennis Arpia personally received the equipment, emphasizing its potential to empower farmers through proper soil diagnostics.
“We are grateful to DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and of course to our beloved President Marcos Jr. for this excellent program,” said Arpia. “We need science to improve agriculture and uplift the lives of our farmers.”
The mobile soil lab will allow on-site soil testing to determine nutrient deficiencies and appropriate fertilizer application, preventing over-fertilization and soil degradation.
Babylou Magdaug, chief of the DA-6 Regional Soils Laboratory, urged farmers to submit soil samples for free analysis, noting it can significantly cut costs.
“Through soil analysis, farmers can identify the exact nutrients their land needs,” Magdaug explained. “Before, they applied fertilizers randomly, not knowing what the soil lacked. Now, they save money and avoid harming the soil.”
She warned that indiscriminate fertilizer use leads to soil acidification and long-term damage, while a science-driven approach ensures crops receive only what they need.
Magdaug also assured that nearly all laboratory services remain free and encouraged farmers to take advantage of the program, especially now that the wet cropping season has begun. Testing can be done at their office near Parola Wharf in Iloilo City.
“There’s no reason not to come. We are campaigning for early soil analysis — while it’s still free,” she said./PN
