DA soils unit seeks P1.6 billion budget for 2027

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) is looking to secure a P1.64 billion budget for 2027 to fund projects, including the expansion of its soil testing laboratories.

BSWM, a unit of the Department of Agriculture, is looking to expand soil testing facilities throughout the country through mobile or provincial laboratories.

BSWM director Gina Nilo said that the agency is targeting to establish three mobile soil laboratories and 11 provincial soil facilities, as it targets to complete 38 testing facilities by 2028.

Nilo said the cost for mobile soil laboratories is P42 million, while provincial soils laboratories cost about P66 million each.

She added that the soil laboratories are under the BSWM’s National Soil Health Program, a government initiative meant to monitor the country’s soil health and diagnose solutions to improve ground conditions.

“They are our partners in sustainable land management. They’re recommendations are applied in the field, which could increase yield, withstand the challenges of climate change and land degradation and enhance biodiversity,” she told reporters.

To support its sustainable land management initiatives, the BSWM also launched its fertilizer map (FertMap) platform which can support local farmers in their planting decisions.

The online platform integrates nationwide soil data from laboratories and generates recommendations based on the specific crops farmers want to grow.

“It gives you the nutrient recommendation per crop, it also guides farmers whether they are planting in the wet or dry season, as well as guide them on the appropriate variety to plant,” Nilo said.

She added recommendations generated by the platform can help curb excessive fertilization in farmland, reduce production cost and lower the environmental damage caused by over-fertilization.