ILOILO City – To modernize farm support and bring science-based services directly to the countryside, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will deploy its newly acquired 10-wheeler mobile soil laboratory for the first time in Guimbal, Iloilo on December 10.
The initiative — hailed as a major leap toward precision agriculture in Western Visayas — was announced by DA Region 6 information officer James Earl Ogatis during the Media Pasasalamat 2025 on December 5.
“Isa kita ka region nga gintagaan sang isa ka daku nga mobile soil laboratory and next week we will be piloting sang pagamit sang sining daku nga mobile soil lab,” Ogatis said.
The state-of-the-art mobile lab was personally turned over to DA-6 regional executive director Dennis Arpia by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on June 30.
Bringing soil science straight to farms
Intended to conduct on-site soil testing and nutrient profiling, the mobile lab allows farmers to immediately determine deficiencies affecting crop yield. Ogatis said the service is expected to guide farmers in managing their soil more effectively so they can “ensure higher harvests” for rice and high-value crops.
He added that local agriculturists will also receive training on proper soil sample collection. Farmers’ participation is crucial, he noted, because the lab will release results on the same day as long as specimens are ready upon arrival.
Ogatis emphasized: “Capacitated naman ang aton Agriculturist Extension Workers kung paano ang insakto nga pag-collect sang duta… I-make sure lang sang aton local government units nga fit for testing ang soil kay kinahanglan pag-abot sang mobile soil lab may ara na dayun nga specimen or duta nga paga-analyze naton kay by the end of the day ma-release ang soil test result.”
‘Science is what we need,’ says DA-6 chief
Director Arpia earlier stressed that the mobile lab demonstrates government’s commitment to strengthen agriculture through technology and evidence-based methods.
“Science ang kailangan natin para higit na mapaunlad natin ang agriculture kasama po ang pamumuhay nga ating mga magsasaka,” Arpia said, calling the mobile lab one of the most effective ways to show farmers that government support is tangible.
Soil analysis helps farmers save on fertilizer costs
DA-6 Regional Soils Laboratory chief Babylou Magdaug underscored that soil testing remains free and is highly encouraged, especially during planting season.
“Kon magpa-analyze kita sang aton soil, makatipid kita. Dira ta mabal-an kon ano gid ang need nga abono sang lupa… May mga farmers kita nga nagahambal nga naka-help ang aton soil analysis para makatipid sila sa fertilizer,” she explained, adding that many farmers tend to apply fertilizer blindly without knowing their soil’s actual nutrient deficiencies.
Magdaug warned that random fertilizer application leads to over-fertilization and soil degradation, making soil more acidic over time.
Through proper soil analysis, she said, farmers will know exactly what nutrients their soil needs—ensuring healthier crops and better productivity.
She reiterated that almost all soil laboratory services are free: “Almost tanan nga services sang laboratory ang free.”
DA-6 continues to encourage farmers to avail of soil testing services at the Regional Soils Laboratory located across Parola Wharf in Iloilo City./PN
