Farmer credits Agusan Sur’s soil testing for 40% yield increase
By Niña Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante
 |
Photo courtesy
of the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur |
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — “Ako usa ka proud nga mag-uuma. Ako usa ka proud nga magtutuo sa soil science (I am a proud farmer. I am a proud believer of soil science).”
This was the triumphant declaration of Randy T.
Buatis, a rice farmer from the municipality of Rosario, Agusan del Sur, in his testimony
during the Stakeholders’ Forum and World Soil Day celebration of the province
of Agusan del Sur on December 5 at the Datu Lipus Makapandong covered court,
Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Buatis credited soil testing techniques taught by
the Agusan del Sur Provincial Research, Development, and Innovation Office
(PRDIO) and Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) to farmers across the different
municipalities for significantly improving their harvest.
“Ang akong ani sa una naa ra sa 50-60 ka-sako kada
hektarya. Apan niadtong kami natudloan ug nigamit na aning soil testing, ang
akong ani niabot na sa 87 ka-sako. Ana-a sa 40 percent ang gitaas sa akong
abot. (Before, I was only able to harvest around 50-60 sacks per hectare. But
after I found out and utilized soil testing, my yield increased by 40 percent.
And now, I am able to harvest 87 sacks per hectare.),” said Buatis.
He emphasized that the increase in his agricultural
produce has allowed him to pay off debts and support the education of his children.
With agriculture as its primary livelihood, the
provincial government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS), under the leadership of
Governor Santiago B. Cane Jr. and 2nd District Congressional Representative
Adolph Edward G. Plaza, has introduced several initiatives aimed at improving
farmers’ yields while reducing fertilizer costs. Central to these efforts is
the establishment of their very own state-of-the-art Biogeochemistry Research
Laboratory.
“Our province has long recognized the importance of
grounding agricultural decisions in science. The establishment of our
Biogeochemistry Research Laboratory reflects this orientation,” shared Gov.
Cane. A farming enthusiast himself, he likened the value of soil to how
Filipinos cherish their families, emphasizing that soil is more than just a
resource—it is a symbol of life.
Cane highlighted the critical role of soil testing
not only in increasing harvests but also in ensuring the long-term
sustainability of agricultural lands. “Many farmers do not know that fertilizers
are not effective if not used correctly. If we use a specific type of
fertilizer on soil that is not compatible with it, the soil may become barren
instead of fertile. This is why we must take advantage of science and
technological innovations such as soil testing and analysis to determine the
type of crop suitable for our soil.”
The forum and World Soil Day celebration served as a platform for farmers, academe representatives, and other agricultural stakeholders to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and discuss emerging trends in sustainable farming to improve productivity and uplift the lives of Agsurnon farmers. (NJGD, PIA Caraga)
