In furtherance of the programs and directions of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) to boost and strengthen the agriculture sector here, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), headed by Vice Governor Rene Lopez Relampagos, approved on third and final reading the proposed ordinance establishing the soils and water laboratory in the province.
The said proposed ordinance is aimed primarily to increase the production of farmers of agricultural products and to decrease the cost of production of said products.
Board Member Ricky U. Masamayor, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, who is also the sponsor of the proposed ordinance said the establishment of the soils and water laboratory in the province is very important for Boholano farmers. The laboratory will help provide important data to determine what nutrients to use in order to make the soil rich and able to provide nutrients to the crops.
Based on the information relayed by Asst. Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Larry Pamugas, the only way the farmers will know the components of the soil in Bohol is by bringing a sample to Cebu which takes a long time before the result is released.
Pursuant to the proposed ordinance, the laboratory will provide services in terms of soil survey and mapping throughout the province.
It will likewise conduct soil chemical analysis which serves as the basis for fertilizer recommendation, and soil physical analysis to determine the soil’s distinct physical properties that serve as a guide to soil classification and agricultural land evaluation and management.
The laboratory will also provide information for crop suitability assessment to see the crop’s suitable soil type, available soil nutrient, water availability, day length, temperature range and light intensity. The laboratory will also determine whether or not a certain crop is suitable to be grown at a specific area.
In addition, the laboratory will collect minimal fee for analysis of the submitted soil samples to certain clients.
Students conducting undergraduate thesis, Bohol Island State University (BISU) instructors and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist employees conducting their research and those conducting soil analysis for research and development, as well as those engaged in provincial soil mapping will not pay any fee for the services of the laboratory.
Postgraduate students and private farms/commercial farms/institutions need to pay the fees in full.
Moreover, small farmers/farmer’s cooperatives/associations members need to pay a discounted rate if they avail themselves of the services.
Relampagos said that he is pleased that the province will soon be having its own soils and water Laboratories.
He added that the laboratory will complement the numerous programs of the Provincial Government of Bohol for the agriculture sector
Relampagos further said that this will directly benefit the farmers in their soil analysis and fertilizer application.
“The facility will help them in terms of maximizing the potential of production by applying only what is necessary and what is needed. This program will have a great impact in the agriculture sector, a unique initiative on the part of the LGU to increase yield and to decrease production cost by providing sufficient and proper fertilizers, “Relampagos said in a statement.
It can be recalled that prior to this, the SP has approved a resolution sometime in February this year authorizing Gov. Arthur Yap to collaborate with BISU for the planning, establishment and maintenance of the soils and water laboratory in BISU-Bilar campus, as well as provide technical support in the operationalization and sustainability of the said laboratory.
Yap has repeatedly made pronouncements that his leadership will invest in programs that are geared towards helping and improving agriculture in the province.