DALWANGAN, Malaybalay City (PIA) — The Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 conducted a certification training on soil analysis and crop fertilizer recommendations from October 16 to 18 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
Over 30 DA-10 technical staff and agricultural technicians from Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Bukidnon participated.
They participated in hands-on workshops and lectures on advanced soil sampling, pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium analysis with soil test kits, georeferencing, and precision fertilizer recommendations.
By implementing soil analysis, technicians gain insight into nutrient levels and soil composition, allowing them to make precise fertilizer recommendations. This tailored approach benefits farmers by optimizing nutrient input, lowering costs, improving soil health, and increasing crop yield and quality.
Janet D. Lopez, DA-10 Bukidnon provincial operations chief, stressed the importance of soil health for sustainable agriculture, urging participants to inspire farmers to adopt the DA’s science-backed initiatives.
“The certification equips agricultural technicians and DA staff to conduct soil sampling, analysis, and crop-specific fertilizer recommendations that meet the needs of individual crop areas,” she said.
The DA-10 Soils Laboratory aims to complete its soil analysis and fertilizer recommendation training series for a fourth group of agricultural extension workers by the end of October, further strengthening regional crop productivity. (ATT/DA-10/PIA 10/Bukidnon)
