CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) inaugurated the first-ever mobile soil laboratory (MSL) in Northern Mindanao today, September 1, at the DA-10 Compound, this city

Acquired through the National Soil Health Program of the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), the MSL features a ten-wheeler truck equipped with cutting-edge laboratory equipment, resources, facilities, and safety features for onsite soil analysis.

The PhP39-million MSL package is capable of analyzing 42 soil parameters covering chemical, physical, and biological properties. It is designed to reduce turnaround time for soil laboratory test results compared to centralized laboratory procedures.

With the MSL, the DA-10 is poised to expand its soil laboratory services by providing accessible, available, and accurate soil health solutions to a greater majority of the farming constituents in the region within their locality.

After complete installation of laboratory equipment and staff capacitation this month, the MSL is expected to roll its wheels by the fourth quarter of this year.

This initiative is consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration’s thrust to empower the country’s farmers and fisherfolk by advocating government programs for agricultural productivity, sustainability, and profitability. (ATT)

(Photo Credits: EJLG)