The country needs additional soil analysis or testing centers to boost the local agriculture sector President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday that he directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to make soil testing more accessible nationwide.
President Marcos lamented the shortage of soil testing centers during a meeting in Malacanang.
“Kulang na kulang tayo sa soil analysis. We cannot tell the farmers how much fertilizer to use. We cannot give them any advice because we don’t know ourselves what the condition of the soil is,” the President said.
The President made the statement after the DA recommended conducting soil mapping and agricultural liming, initially in Luzon areas, as part of the program to expand the sugar industry.
“That (soil mapping) actually applies to all crops,” President Marcos pointed out.
He said every region should have at least one soil testing center. This would allow agriculturists to respond promptly to farmers seeking guidance on crops suitable for their lands.
The DA revealed that “restructuring” efforts are being undertaken to increase the number of government soil testing centers. The agency aims to have 12 facilities by next year.
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