In pursuit towards agricultural excellence, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), through the Laboratory Services Division, hosted the 8th Meeting of the Asian Soil Laboratory Network (SEALNET). Members of the Asian Soil Laboratory Network (SEALNET) convened on 15 July 2024. This marks the beginning of the five-day meeting. The first day was participated in by a total of 75 onsite participants and 103 online participants – at the DA-BSWM Lopez Convention Hall, and via Zoom and Facebook live. The participants were from the SEALNET member countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, France, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam; DA Officials, PhiLNASOLAN Members, BSWM Management, among others.

The event was graced by the presence of the DA Undersecretary for Operations Roger V. Navarro and DA Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Alvin John Balagbag representing the Honorable Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.; Yuxin Tong, Officer, FAO Land and Water Division; Filippo Benedetti, International Consultant, FAO Land and Water Division; Lionel Henri Valentin Dabbadie, FAO Representative in the Philippines; Nikki De Vera, FAO Programme Coordination Specialist. Lifeng Li, Director, FAO Land and Water Division, and Lucrezia Caon, Coordinator, Asia Soil Partnership and Pacific Soil Partnership and Officer, FAO Land and Water Division attended the event via Zoom.

This 8th SEALNET Meeting formally commenced with the flag raising ceremony attended by the International guests, BSWM Management headed by Director Gina P. Nilo and Assistant Director Denise A. Solano along with the BSWM Management Committee, employees and staff. This was followed by the Welcoming Remarks of Director Gina P. Nilo. In her Message, Dr. Nilo mentioned the significance of the meeting for representatives from various Asian regions to come together to assess, map, and monitor soil health in a harmonized way. Afterwhich, Inspiration Messages from Mr. Dabaddie and Mr. Li were delivered. Usec. Navarro then conveyed the Message of the Honorable Secretary Tiu Laurel by emphasizing the collaborative efforts among the Department of Agriculture, BSWM, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN), and SEALNET in shaping the future of sustainable soil management locally and globally. 

For the second half of the program, three main agenda were underscored: a) Global and regional updates from Global Soil Partnership (GSP), International Network on Soil Fertility and Fertilizers (INSOILFER), GLOSOLAN, and FAO; b) Current status and updates from member soil laboratories of the SEALNET; and c) Quality Control and Inter-Laboratory Comparison Exercises. 

Since its inception in November 2017, the Philippines has hosted the SEALNET twice, including this year’s event. Through this assembly, crucial insights, innovative strategies, and firm actions can be aimed towards sustainable agriculture and food security initially in Asia and eventually on a global scale.

(Keyfej C. Ramos, Laboratory Services Division – Rapid Soil Test Section)

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