In recognition of its role in the monitoring and rejuvenation of Soil Health, and the provision of site-specific nutrient recommendations, the Department of Agriculture -Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) in coordination with the Food and Fertilizer Technology Center – Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute (FFTC-TARI) implements various capacity building activities towards securing healthy soils. For this year, the DA-BSWM and the FFTC-TARI organized the “2025 BSWM-FFTC Symposium and Training Course – Soil Health and the Importance of Soil Organic Carbon: Measurement, Monitoring and Management,” from June 10-13, 2025. This is being held at the BSWM Lopez Convention Hall, and in Nueva Ecija for the Field Tour (June 11, 2025).
This four-day Symposium and Training, in line with the BSWM’s 74th Found Anniversary Celebration, is conducted with the aim to enhance the technical management systems as well as showcase innovations that generate interoperable and reliable soil analytical data, used in the mapping and monitoring of soil health. Nine (9) member countries participated in this event – the United States of America, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
The event kicked off with The Symposium Day held on June 10, 2025, at the BSWM Lopez Convention Hall. The day was formally commenced with the Messages from the DA-BSWM Director Gina Parde-Nilo, Ph.D., FFTC Director Dr. Su-San Chang, and DA Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization Engr. Roger V. Navarro, representing the Agriculture Secretary Honorable Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.
Director Nilo opened her Message as she welcomed all the participants from the 48 member laboratories of the Philippine National Soil Partnership Network (PhilNASOLAN), and the representatives from the nine member countries. In her Message, Director Nilo emphasized the importance of this event stating that it is a “significant milestone in strengthening the links and partnerships between and among Asian countries which will enable us to exchange ideas, share best practices and find more opportunities to contribute furthermore in assessing and managing soil health.” She also took the opportunity to acknowledge the full support of the Department of Agriculture in the implementation of the National Soil Health Program (NSHP) – part of the BSWM’s efforts in identifying and addressing soil and conditions, and in defining the best opportunities for sustainability of soil use and resilience of productivity over time.
Following Director Nilo is Dr. Su-San Chang, FFTC Director who delivered her Message where she shared that the event gathered a diverse roster of speakers to share their knowledge and insights on soil health. “We are gathered here to raise regional awareness and strengthen technical capabilities in assisting and managing soil health,” she added. In closing, Dr. Chang manifested her hopes that the event will resonate far beyond the walls of the event venue – thus influencing practices, policies, and perspectives around the world.
Moreover, highlighted in the event was the Message from the DA Secretary Tiu Laurel, through DA Undersecretary Navarro which emphasized the DA-BSWM’s efforts in producing and distributing soil test kits and water test kits to ensure that the farmers can access tools to quickly identify the quality of soil and water for irrigation. Undersecretary Navarro furthered with a call to action, “The task before us now is to increase farmers’ productivity and ensure food security while also caring for our soils. We aim for an agriculture sector that is modern, competitive, and ready to face challenges,” he stated.
After these powerful Messages, the Symposium Day focused on four sessions titled “Session 1: Soil Health Management and Practices”; “Session 2: Soil Health Measurement, Monitoring, Management, and Soil Organic Carbon”; Session 3: Country Report on Soil Health Management, Practices, Gaps, and Challenges”; and “Session 4: Next Steps to Enhance Soil Health and Harmonize the Method.”
The Sessions specifically centered on the discussions about the 1) Tools for Standardized Assessment of Soil Health Management Practices, 2) Soil Doctor in Japan: Roles and Current Activities, 3) Advancing Sustainable Land Management: Innovations and Best Practices – Philippine Experience (under Session 1); 1) Long-Term National Soil Carbon Monitoring in Agricultural Soils in Japan, 2) Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Soil Fertility in Rice Systems: Insights from Sub-Saharan Africa and the Long-Term Cropping Experiment in the Philippines, 3) Long-Term Impacts of Fertilization and Soil Management on Soil Health and Crop Productivity Studies: Case Studies in Taiwan (under Session 2); 1) Indonesian Country Report on Soil Health Management, Practices, Gaps and Challenges, 2) Soil Health Management, Practices, Gaps and Challenges in Malaysia, 3) Soil Properties and its Management in Korea, 4) Country Report on Soil Health Management, Practices, Gaps and Challenges, 5) Enhancing Soil Health in Thailand: Practical Approaches and Key Challenges, 6) Soil Health Management for Sustainable Agriculture Development in Vietnam (under Session 3); and Panel Discussion (under Session 4).
The Symposium and Training Course also provided the participants the opportunity to have a Field Tour at the Mobile Soil Laboratory currently deployed in Nueva Ecija. This was held on June 11, 2025 – the second day of the event.
Further, the third and fourth days of the activity will focus on Technical Trainings such as on June 12, 2025 regarding the Soil Physical and Microbiological Parameters, and the Training on Soil Chemical Parameters for June 13, 2025 – both to be held at the BSWM Lopez Convention Hall.
The 2025 BSWM-FFTC Symposium and Training Course was attended by representatives from the DA Regional Soils Laboratories, Sugar Regulatory Administration, University of the Philippines Los Baños, International Rice Research Institute, Taiwan ICDF, Ilagan Soils Laboratory, and the BSWM. This event is hosted by the DA-BSWM through the Laboratory Services Division headed by its Chief Ms. Maribel R. Jalalon.
For 74 years, the BSWM has been in the forefront in ensuring the sustainable management of the Philippines’ soil and water resources for agriculture, both in the local and international arena. In the next 74 years and beyond, it is steadfast in its commitments for the continued thriving of the agricultural sector, para sa masaganang ani at maunlad na ekonomiya. Para sa masaganang bagong Pilipinas.
(Ara Krizele Alcoriza, Information Office)
#BagongPilipinas
#ParaSaMasaganangBagongPilipinas
#DABSWM
#BagongPilipinasBSWM
#SoilAndWaterForAgriculture
#FFTC
#MasaganangAgrikultura
#MaunladNaEkonomiya
#SoilHealth
