Make soil testing more accessible, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Agriculture (DA).
During a meeting in Malacañang, Marcos Jr. lamented the shortage of soil testing centers.
“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,” according to him.
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,” said Marcos Jr., adding that there should be at least one soil testing center for every region.
This, he added, would allow agriculturists to respond promptly to farmers seeking guidance on crops suitable for their lands.IMT
