MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is intensifying efforts to improve farm productivity through the nationwide deployment of the Bureau of Soil and Water Management’s (BSWM) Mobile Soil Testing Laboratories (MSL).

DA Officer-in-Charge and Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro urged farmers to take advantage of the free MSL services to enhance crop yields and make informed decisions on seeds, fertilizers, and other farm inputs.

“The DA is offering these services free of charge to farmers growing rice, corn, high-value crops, vegetables, and root crops,” Navarro said. “This is a valuable tool to help boost yields while minimizing the impact on soil health.”

Each mobile lab, worth about ₱42 million, can analyze up to 44 parameters covering soil chemical, physical, microbiological, and water chemical properties. The MSL program forms part of the National Soil Health Program, which aims to make soil testing accessible, reliable, and precise, particularly in remote agricultural areas.

All 17 Regional Field Offices have been equipped with a mobile lab in support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’sdirective to modernize Philippine agriculture and deliver science-based services directly to farmers.

A pilot deployment in Tarlac earlier this year yielded promising outcomes. The MSL analyzed 543 soil samples, produced 346 fertilizer recommendations for 25 high-value crops, and trained 584 farmers and local stakeholders in soil testing and sustainable fertilizer management. In just seven weeks, it also generated Soil Health and Fertility Maps, Soil Health Monitoring Reports, and personalized Soil Health Cards.

According to the DA, investing in soil health allows farmers to cut input costs, improve yields and crop quality, mitigate risks from drought or nutrient deficiencies, and ensure long-term soil productivity—contributing to greater profitability and resilience in Philippine agriculture.