Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. recently led the turnover of key outputs from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soils and Water Management’s (DA-BSWM) Mobile Soil Laboratory (MSL) pilot project in Tarlac. The pilot, conducted from 20 January to 7 March 2025, covered 17 towns and one city, delivering essential soil testing services aimed at improving agricultural productivity.
The MSL provided soil health and fertility maps, soil health monitoring reports, and personalized fertilizer recommendations to local farmers, helping them enhance soil health and increase farm yields. During the seven-week deployment, 543 soil samples were analyzed, 346 fertilizer recommendations made for 25 high-value crops, and 584 local farmers were trained in sustainable farming practices.
The Mobile Soil Lab is a vital component of the National Soil Health Program, designed to provide advanced analysis on 44 soil parameters, including chemical, physical, and microbiological tests. By bringing soil science directly to the community, the MSL strengthens local agricultural capacity, supporting sustainable practices that boost farm incomes and improve food security.
The success of the pilot project in Tarlac paves the way for the nationwide deployment of 16 additional MSL units to further improve soil management and agricultural resilience.
