Hundreds of rice farmers in Oriental Mindoro have benefited from a new program offering free, on-site soil analysis and immediate fertilizer recommendations.

The program, spearheaded by the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office between March and May 2025, will improve crop yields and reduce farming costs for the province’s vital agricultural sector.

Using advanced Soil Test Kit technology, agricultural officials provided rapid results, enabling them to offer same-day advice on the precise type, quantity, and application methods for fertilizers.

In Calapan City, 60 farmers in Barangays Santa Cruz, Balite, and Mahabang Parang had their soil tested on March 27 and April 2. This was followed by testing in San Teodoro on May 8-9, where 64 farmers from Barangay Tacligan participated.

The largest outreach took place in Pinamalayan from May 14-16, involving 238 farmers across 17 barangays.

Provincial officials noted that the program promotes sustainable farming practices by accurately identifying soil conditions and optimizing fertilizer use.

Oriental Mindoro’s agricultural sector is central to its economy, with roughly 62% of households relying on farming and fishing.

However, 28.9% of farmers in the province are classified as poor, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The province has established a well-grounded agricultural infrastructure to tackle these bottlenecks.

In 2017, the Department of Agriculture inaugurated three research laboratories and a rice processing center, including a Regional Soils Laboratory in Naujan.

The Provincial Agriculturist’s Office also runs a Technical Support Services Division, which oversees its own soils laboratories, pest clinics, and farmer information centers.

Efficient fertilizer management has long been a hurdle for Filipino rice farmers.

Experts from the Department of Agriculture suggest that farmers could save between P2,000 and P4,000 by complementing inorganic fertilizers with organic alternatives.

Current data indicates that 28% of farmers apply fertilizers only once, while 8% do so twice.

Common fertilizers include urea, complete fertilizer, and ammonium phosphate.

The government has increased its support for fertilizer access, with the National Irrigation Administration delivering P6.85 million worth of farm inputs, including fertilizers, to irrigators’ associations in Oriental Mindoro in 2024.

Photos: courtesy of Oriental Mindoro Provincial Agriculture Office