Aggie 10 launches regionwide soil sampling, testing drive in NorMin

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (Aggie 10) officially commenced its regionwide soil sampling and testing drive in Northern Mindanao following the soil sample collection and ground geotagging on March 26-28 in four sites in Misamis Oriental.

The towns of Sugbongcogon, Binuangan, Magsaysay and Gingoog City were identified as the pilot soil health monitoring sites for rice and corn production areas, being the staple agricultural commodity in the region.

This initiative was espoused by Aggie 10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan in accordance with the National Soil Health Program (NSHP) of the government, to increase crops productivity and augment farmers’ income by promoting the adoption of proper and balanced soil fertilization practices.

In early March, the Aggie NorMin technical personnel from the Field Operations Division undergo technical upskilling and retooling for soil sampling, collecting and processing before field surveys begin.

Particularly, the personnel were capacitated on qualitative soil analysis to assess soil pH levels, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents to come up with a viable fertilizer recommendation.

Soil fertility analysis is a science-based farming tool enabling farmers to effectively strategize for agricultural productivity and soil-crop compatibility.

In coordination with the Provincial/City/Municipal Agriculture Offices, the Aggie 10 targets to round up the soil sampling and testing in priority sites across the region in May, in time with the wet cropping calendar. # (ATT/Photo credits: CAB)