The Department of Agriculture-Davao Region (DA-Davao) has deployed a Mobile Soil Laboratory (MSL) in Panabo City, offering free soil testing services to farmers and stakeholders from June 17 to September 4, 2026.
Mobile Lab Details
The 10-wheeler laboratory truck, operated by DA-Davao through the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), is stationed in Panabo City and nearby areas in Davao del Norte. It can analyze up to 44 chemical, physical, and microbiological properties of soil and water.
Promoting Science-Based Farming
Zabdiel Zacarias, DA-Davao agriculture regional technical director for research and regulations, highlighted that the program promotes science-based farming practices across the region. He explained that soil testing helps farmers apply the right fertilizer in the right amount and at the right time, reducing input costs and improving productivity.
“Let us maximize the opportunities that this Mobile Soil Laboratory offers. Let us embrace innovation, support science-based agriculture, and continue investing in the health of our soils as the very foundation of a thriving agricultural sector in the region,” Zacarias said.
Encouraging Farmer Participation
He urged farmers and stakeholders to take advantage of the program and adopt modern agricultural practices. The initiative brings on-site soil and water analysis services to farmers, local government units, and other agricultural stakeholders.
DA-Davao noted that the program gives farmers access to real-time soil health and fertility data, allowing them to make more precise decisions on fertilizer use and farm management.
Agricultural Context
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2022 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries, Davao del Norte has about 79,701 farms and an agricultural population of 185,895 persons aged 18 and above.
