In an innovative and significant step toward enhancing a vibrant, resilient, and sustainable agricultural industry, the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) successfully held a transformative two-day workshop in Cagayan Valley on Soil Fertility Treatment Localization and Location-Specific Cropping Pattern Calendar. This initiative, held on September 11-12, 2024 in Tuguegarao City, is part of the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES), bringing essential science-based and location-specific decision support tools and solutions tailored directly to the needs of the region.

The activity was graced by the Welcome Message from Ms. Kay S. Olivas, Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations on behalf of Dr. Rose Mary G. Aquino, Regional Executive Director of the DA-Regional Field Office II. This was followed by the Opening Message delivered by Engr. Diosdado M. Manalus, Officer-In-Charge, Water Resources Management Division. In full support of the activity are the officials from DA-RFO II: Dr. Gerly T. Zulueta, Office-In-Charge, Integrated Laboratory Division, Ms. Fevie Rica A. Ancheta, Chief, Regional Soils Laboratories II, Ms. Jovie Chua, Agricultural Promotion and Coordination Officer of Cagayan, and technical staff from RSL. The active and dynamic participants include the pool of experts from the Provincial and City/Municipal Agriculture Offices of the Provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Qurino through their Provincial/City/Municipal Agriculturists, City/Municipal Agriculture Officers, Agricultural Extension Workers and other technical staff.

Derived from the overall evaluation feedback and insights, the evidenced-based interactive lecture-workshops, developed and enhanced knowledge of the participants on soil nutrient management and capacitated them on the application and adoption of the soil nutrient/soil fertility maps, adjustment and adoption of location-specific cropping pattern calendar as well as technical know-hows on the utilization of decision support tools.

This science-based and location-specific approach not only enhances productivity, but also ensures long-term sustainability of  agricultural practices in Cagayan Valley. The DA-BSWM’s effort in developing and promoting these decision support tools would be helpful to the strategic planning, policy making and research of the region and various local government units for the enhancement of farming activities of their constituents.

Behind the effort in facilitating the innovative and localized interventions which helps in paving the way in achieving this long-term goal is the Field Implementation Team composed of technical staff from various Divisions of the Bureau such as Water Resources Management Division, Soil Survey Division and Laboratory Services Division, with the support of Compost Production Implementation Team.

(Sandy B. Abiad, Soil Survey Division)