By Kathrina Antonio

To enhance the productivity of rice-based cropping systems through soil health management, partner consultants of the program titled “Soil Knowledge, Information and Capacity to Improve the Productivity and Sustainability of Key Cropping Systems in the Philippines” visited Mariano Marcos State University on Monday, July 1.

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, Dr. Janet Villamor, project leader and soil science faculty member, and Dr. Dinah Marie Dayag, project staff and soil science faculty member, welcomed the visitors at the Ferdinand E. Marcos hall.

Among the partner consultants present were Dr. Johnvie Goloran, Soil Scientist at Griffith University; Atty. Jaybe Quiñonez, Chief of Staff of Hon. Cong Eddiebong Plaza, 2nd District of Agusan del Sur; Mr. Arnold Pascua, Senior Agriculturist of the Provincial Agriculture Office; and Atty. Juan Alfonso Augustus Jose, Chief of Staff of Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc.

Set to launch in October 2024, the five-year project aims to develop a soil information system that will improve the productivity, sustainability, and resilience of key cropping systems through improved soil health management. Furthermore, the project will support farmers and various stakeholders in managing soil for sustainable agricultural production.

During the courtesy call, MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis reaffirmed the university’s support and commitment to the project. She emphasized that MMSU is fully prepared to take on the challenge of improving soil health management in Luzon.

The project is in collaboration with the Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR), Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST - PCAARRD), Griffith University and Provincial Agriculture Offices in Ilocos Norte, Tarlac, Bataan, and Agusan del Sur.