Province-wide soil and land use survey set in Agusan del Sur

By David M. Suyao

Saturday 9th of June 2012

AGUSAN DEL SUR, June 9 (PIA) -- A multidisciplinary team of experts in soil-climatic and water resources, soil conservation, land use, geographic information systems from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, Quezon City, with some project-hired staff, will be moving around the province for soil survey and classification and land use assessment for agri-investment in Agusan del Sur.

The project is a joint undertaking between and among the provincial government of Agusan del Sur, the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), with a total fund of P2.4 million; this will last for five months, to start this June.

According to Dr. Joriz Elevazo, OIC Provincial Officer, the survey comes in three phases. First is the pre-survey, which includes consultation and negotiation with stakeholders and preparation of base maps and materials; second is the field survey which comprise of activities such as delineation and mapping of soil, land use and climate and water resources and collection of soil samples. Third is the post-survey, which involves laboratory analysis of soil samples, finalization, and reproduction of maps and presentation of report output.

“Ultimately, the project aimed to generate a comprehensive set of soil-based resources information as basis for agricultural development planning and agri-development potentials for sustainable development. Specifically, with these soil and land resources data, farmers and planners will be guided in planning, identification and choosing the appropriate investments in the province or a specific municipality/city/barangay or a certain farm area. It will also assess the productivity potential of utilized lands and formulation of recommended crops to a classified soil unit. The project outputs include the production of the following: maps of soil, slope, erosion, land capability, fertility, suitability maps for major crops and agri-investment, and relief model (scale 1:150,000) or any appropriate scale,” Dr. Elevazo said.

The Provincial Agriculture Office believes that land is an important and critical factor in crop production. In order for crops of any kind to yield the desired level of production, the land and its soil must be suitable for its growth and development. Farmers, planners and implementers of development programs/projects could also maximize their investments having know-how of their lands and soils.

The provincial government under the administration of Gov. Adolph Edward G. Plaza has been resolute in its plight to alleviate poverty in the province by ensuring that investments beget productivity and income for every Agusanon. (DMS/Jasmin J. Reyes - PIA-Agusan del Sur)