Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. highlighted the vital role of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) in ensuring the sustainability and productivity of the nation’s soil health and water management during the culminating activity of the agency’s 73rd Founding Anniversary on June 5, 2024.
With the theme “Secure our Future: Basic Essentials: Soil Health and Water Manage it Well,” the DA-BSWM underscored its five-point agenda in this year’s presentation, including: the National Soil Health Program, Implementation of Sustainable Land Management, Strengthening the Implementation of Presidential Decree 1435, Philippine Soil Land Resources Information (PhilSri), and Continued Rainwater Harvesting.
“This significant milestone serves as a testament to your hard work and unwavering commitment towards the advancement of the agricultural sector. You have made a mark in the lives of farmers and fisherfolk through programs like small-scale irrigation projects, adaptive balanced fertilization strategy under the national soil health program, and the establishment of composting facilities for biodegradable waste,” Sec. Tiu Laurel said.
He also emphasized the DA-BSWM’s role as a knowledge hub for enhancing crop yields, productivity, and farmers’ income. He mentioned plans for the bureau to engage more in developmental projects, particularly focusing on small-scale irrigation, early warning systems, rain harvesting, drought risk management, and soil health restoration. These efforts will utilize balanced fertilization strategies, along with satellite technologies, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
“Let us reaffirm our collective commitment to the core values of integrity, professionalism, and service excellence. Let us continue to work hand-in-hand pushing boundaries and breaking barriers in order to meet collective objectives,” Sec. Tiu Laurel said.
During the event, the DA-BSWM introduced three new products and tools aimed at enhancing farmers’ climate resilience: the Fertilizer Recommendation Mobile Application or FertRight, developed by the Laboratory Services Division; the Water Kit, developed by LSD’s Water Chemistry Section; and the Cropping Pattern and Calendar Tool, developed by the Water Resources Management Division. ### (Kristel Joyce Merle, DA-AFID)
