President Marcos has lamented the lack of soil analysis in the country which, he said, is crucial in aiding farmers in knowing what crops are suitable on their lands.

This prompted Marcos to task the Department of Agriculture (DA) to establish more soil testing around the country.

“Kulang na kulang tayo sa (We lack in) soil analysis. We cannot tell the farmers how much fertilizers to use. We cannot give them any advice because we don’t know ourselves what the condition of the soil is,” the President said during a meeting in Malacañan.

The DA recommended to conduct soil mapping and agricultural liming, initially in Luzon areas as part of the program to expand the sugar industry.

“That (soil mapping) actually applies to all crops,” Marcos pointed out.

He said there should be at least one soil testing center for every region, allowing agriculturists to respond promptly to farmers seeking guidance on crops suitable on their lands.

The DA revealed  “restructuring” efforts are being undertaken to help increase the number of government soil testing centers. The agency is eyeing to have a total of 12 facilities by next year.

Farmers' training

In the same meeting, Marcos also ordered the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) to look into forging a partnership between agriculture cooperatives and the local government units (LGUs) to strengthen development and training of farmers.

“Maybe we have to come to some kind of partnership for LGUs that are in fact interested. Or the areas that we would like to organize better,” Marcos said.

“Puntahan ng CDA (must go to them) and tell them, you know, we could do much better here and this is how we can do it with the help of the LGU.”

The CDA is a government agency attached to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It promotes the viability and growth of cooperatives as instruments of equity, social justice and economic development.

'Bayani ng Pilipinas'

The Chief Executive expressed his support for the “Bayani ng Pilipinas” campaign in championing farmers as heroes of the country, emphasizing the farmers’ sacrifice to provide food for Filipinos and sustain its supply.

“Yes, it’s hard (farming) but look what they, how, what they do. If, you know, if they didn’t farm, we wouldn’t have anything to eat,” Marcos said.

The Bayani ng Pilipinas Campaign is an initiative pushed by the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) to advocate farming as a “good way of life” and encourage the younger generation to pursue farming as a profession.

It is also one way to celebrate Filipino farmers and aspire them to continue and progress.