DA-10 inaugurates first mobile soil lab in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) inaugurated the first ever mobile soil laboratory (MSL) in Northern Mindanao today, September 1, at the DA-10 Compound, this City.

Acquired through the National Soil Health Program of the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), the MSL features a ten-wheeler truck equipped with cutting edge laboratory equipment, resources, facilities and safety features for onsite soil analysis.

The PhP39-million MSL package is capable of analyzing 42 soil parameters covering chemical, physical, and biological properties. It is designed to reduce turnaround time for soil laboratory test results compared to centralized laboratory procedure.

With the MSL, the DA-10 is poised to expand its soil laboratory services by providing accessible, available and accurate soil health solutions to a greater majority of the farming constituents in the region within their locality.

After complete installation of laboratory equipment and staff capacitation this month, the MSL is expected to roll its wheel by the fourth quarter of this year.

This initiative is consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. administration’s thrust to empower the country’s farmers and fisherfolk by advocating government programs for agricultural productivity, sustainability, and profitability.# (ATT/Photo Credits: EJLG)