Empowering farmers, enriching the land: Agusan Sur’s PBBM-inspired soil research lab
By NiΓ±a Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante
PROSPERIDAD, AGUSAN DEL SUR (PIA) - A new chapter in Philippine agricultural advancement was written as Agusan del Sur proudly inaugurated its first-ever modern soil research laboratory, a pioneering facility inspired by the agricultural reforms and innovation agenda of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos (PBBM).
“PBBM inspired us to pursue this agricultural project because we believed in his promise to develop the agricultural sector of the country,” said Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago B. Cane Jr.
“That is why despite us being a small province in the country, with no billions of budget to spend, we did our best to realize this project. We benchmarked four different countries (Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and Australia) to study the operations of their soil research laboratories and compared which of them suited to the needs of our agricultural sector in Agusan del Sur,” Gov. Cane added.
The laboratory, officially named the Provincial Research Development Innovation Office (PRDIO) Research Laboratory, stands as a beacon of scientific progress in the heart of Mindanao. Spanning 1,687 square meters and equipped with cutting-edge technology, the facility is capable of analyzing soil, water, fertilizer, plant, and gas samples, processing up to 100 samples daily with results available in just eight to ten days.
During her visit to the Caraga region last July 21, Undersecretary Katherine Chloe S. De Castro, director-general of the Philippine Information Agency, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Santiago B. Cane Jr., who personally toured her through the newly inaugurated laboratory. De Castro commended the provincial government’s bold strides toward agricultural innovation, emphasizing the lab’s potential to empower local farmers and eventually serve international clients through globally accredited standards.
In a show of support, Director-General De Castro pledged PIA’s full commitment to feature and promote the soil research laboratory across its national and regional platforms, ensuring that the story of Agusan del Sur’s agricultural transformation reaches a wider audience.
“This is the kind of innovation that deserves to be amplified,” she said. “PIA will help tell this story—not just to Filipinos, but to the world,” she added.
The laboratory’s inception was rooted in Pres. Marcos Jr.’s vision for revitalizing Philippine agriculture. His administration’s emphasis on soil health, sustainable farming, and scientific research laid the groundwork for this landmark project, which the President personally led the groundbreaking for in February 2024.
The lab also aligns with international standards, thanks to a collaboration with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). Ambassador Hae Kyung Yu, who attended the inauguration, affirmed that the facility meets both Philippine and Australian benchmarks, with plans for international accreditation already underway.
Beyond its technical capabilities, the soil lab is expected to boost crop yields by up to 50 percent and reduce fertilizer costs by 25 percent, particularly benefiting farmers under the province’s Upland Sustainable Agroforestry Development (USAD) program.
“Soil is like the human body which needs to be tested and studied for us to find out the proper treatment for our illness. Not every crop is suited for every type of land. As such, the construction of a soil research laboratory is essential to improve the yields of our farmers,” shared Gov. Cane.
As Agusan del Sur steps into the global spotlight, this laboratory stands as a testament to what visionary leadership, scientific collaboration, and grassroots empowerment can achieve. It’s not just about soil—it’s about sowing the seeds of a more prosperous, sustainable future. (NJGD/PIA Caraga)
