LANAO DEL NORTE (PIA) — Farmers across Lanao del Norte can now access soil testing services closer to their farms following the launch of the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Soils and Water Management’s (DA-BSWM) Mobile Soil Laboratory, which aims to improve crop production through science-based farming practices.The facility was introduced during the Agriculture Day celebration on July 1 as part of the province’s 67th Araw ng Lanao del Norte celebration. The mobile laboratory allows farmers to have their soil analyzed onsite, helping them determine the proper fertilizer application, improve crop management, and increase agricultural productivity.
According to Maribel R. Jalalon, chief agriculturist of the DA-BSWM Laboratory Services Division, the mobile laboratory is part of the National Soil Health Program, which focuses on expanding soil testing services by bringing laboratory facilities directly to farming communities.The laboratory examines the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soil to provide farmers with site-specific recommendations on the appropriate type, amount, and timing of fertilizer use for their crops.Housed inside a 10-wheeler truck equipped with modern laboratory tools, the facility can operate through electricity, a generator, or solar power, allowing it to serve farming areas even with limited access to power sources.
Science Research Specialist I James Ryan B. Baring said farmers may submit soil samples directly to the mobile laboratory, where experts conduct tests to determine nutrient levels and provide recommendations on suitable fertilizer applications.Since its deployment, the Mobile Soil Laboratory has already reached 11 municipalities in Lanao del Norte. The DA-BSWM is also developing a soil health map and soil health book that will support future agricultural planning and decision-making in the province.For Gov. Mohamad Khalid Q. Dimaporo, the initiative will help farmers reduce production expenses by identifying the exact fertilizer requirements of their crops, especially amid increasing fertilizer prices.He emphasized that the program strengthens cooperation between the provincial government, the Department of Agriculture, municipal agriculture offices, and local government units in promoting more efficient and sustainable farming practices.
Dimaporo added that improving farm productivity will allow Lanao del Norte to further contribute to the food supply needs of Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro, and other areas in Northern Mindanao.Through the Mobile Soil Laboratory, farmers are given access to accurate soil information that can help them make better decisions, maximize resources, and achieve healthier crop production.
(LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
Provincial and Department of Agriculture officials launch the Mobile Soil Laboratory during the Agriculture Day celebration of the 67th Araw ng Lanao del Norte. The facility brings on-site soil testing services to farming communities, helping farmers make science-based decisions on fertilizer use and crop management. (Photo: ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
Modern laboratory equipment inside the Mobile Soil Laboratory enables on-site analysis of soil samples to determine nutrient levels and provide site-specific fertilizer recommendations for farmers across Lanao del Norte. (Photo: ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
Soil samples collected from farms in Lanao del Norte undergo laboratory analysis through the Mobile Soil Laboratory to assess soil conditions and support appropriate fertilizer application for improved crop productivity. (Photo: ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
