Agusan Sur opens modern soils, research lab
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – In anticipation of its soft launching by the end of second quarter or early of third quarter of this year, the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) of the provincial government of Agusan del Sur is eyeing for students who have the knack for agriculture-related research studies.
PPDO Head Trisha Fe R. Goloran, together with the core team, revealed during an interview that the nearly-completed soils and research laboratory is set to open soon, offering services such as soils analysis and testing, crop research and development, and support for sustainable agriculture practices.
“This modern soils and research laboratory will open doors to a wide range of opportunities and will bring inspiration to young farmers to pursue careers in agriculture. This will not solely focus on soil testing, but more so on providing avenues for students not only from Caraga region but also other parts of the country, allowing them to do development research in our laboratory,” said Goloran.
“The necessary equipment and facilities for the soils and research laboratory are already in place and we have personnel with specialization who will be manning and operating the machinery. We also have scientists, engineers, including our partners from the different concerned agencies to assist our visitors and provide them with the necessary data,” she added.
She also expressed optimism that more students, young volunteers, and even those who will be employed as Government Internship Program (GIP) will soon visit the laboratory and even help develop technology that are fit and useful for the municipalities and city of Agusan del Sur.
Goloran stressed that Agusan del Sur as a landlocked province dominated by local farmers with wide hectares of land has vast opportunities to grow and improve its economic activities by equipping them with science-based fertilization for a more scientific-approached agriculture that will surely lead to high yields, quality produce, and high profit.
“The provincial government is really serious in implementing soil health management to maintain environmental quality and sustainability, and promoting overall health. While we ensure food security, we also want to ensure that the food that we get is healthy and safe to eat,” she said.
With soil health initiatives at the forefront, Agusan del Sur is poised to become a model for sustainable agriculture in the Philippines and the country’s soil health research and policy center.
During the discussions, Goloran and the rest of the core team members such as Senior Agriculturist Elsie M. Edullantes, Engr. I Christian Bahalla, Engr. I Rey L. Labiano Jr., and Administrative Assistant II Christine A. Galvez also expressed their enthusiasm for the various opportunities that this initiative will bring to the province. (JPG, PIA Agusan del Sur)
