By Chris V. Panganiban
Inquirer Mindanao Bireau
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — Farmers in Agusan del Sur are supporting a science-based approach to farming that aims to help them make better decisions on fertilizer use, crop selection, and farm management.
Earlier this month, members of farmer-led civil society organizations (CSOs) from Esperanza, Bunawan, Loreto, and San Francisco shared their insights and recommendations during the consultation for the proposed Provincial Soil Test-Based Fertilization Program of the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS) under the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP).
The activity allowed farmer groups to share their experiences, raise concerns, and contribute ideas to develop an agricultural program that reflects the actual needs and conditions of farming communities.
For farmer leader Norberto Ginoo of the Lumbia Farmers Association in Barangay Dacutan, Esperanza, involving farmers in planning and implementing the program gives them a stronger sense of ownership.
He said farmers are hopeful that the initiative will help improve their production by providing recommendations based on the actual condition of their farms.
“My fellow farmers are expecting that this program will help us improve our production, make better use of our resources, and achieve better yields. We are grateful that we are not only beneficiaries of the program but are also allowed to be part of the process,” Ginoo said.
The proposed Soil Test-Based Fertilization Program seeks to help farmers move away from relying only on traditional practices and general fertilizer recommendations. Instead, it promotes the use of scientific data to determine the nutrients needed by the soil and the appropriate interventions for each farm.
Supporting this initiative is the Provincial Research Development and Innovation Office (PRDIO), whose state-of-the-art Soil Laboratory has already assisted hundreds of farmers across Agusan del Sur through soil analysis and technical recommendations.
Through soil testing, farmers are provided with information about the condition and nutrient requirements of their farmlands. The laboratory results help identify the suitable fertilizers needed to improve crop productivity while also guiding farmers on what crops are best suited to their soil conditions.
For farmers, access to accurate soil information provides a better foundation for decision-making. It helps reduce unnecessary expenses, improve the use of farm inputs, and increase the potential for better harvests.
The consultation, which included a Provincial Steering Committee Orientation, Technical Presentation, Critiquing, and Public Consultation, was held at Annex A of the Provincial Learning Center in Patin-ay, Prosperidad.
Delivering the message of Governor Santiago Cane Jr., Private Secretary Ram Christopher Billedo emphasized the importance of including farmers and civil society organizations in developing government programs.
“Through the Philippine Open Government Partnership, this orientation and consultation turn transparency, accountability, and participation from words on paper into the way we govern,” Billedo said.
He added that the initiative demonstrates the province’s commitment to making agricultural investments more responsive, science-based, and aligned with the needs of farmers.
“It is a promise that Agusan del Sur will farm with knowledge instead of guesswork, that every peso we invest in agriculture will be guided by science, and that our farmers will finally receive support fitted to the actual condition of their land,” he said.
Dr. Alma A. Eleazar, Executive Director of CSO Network of Caraga Incorporated, highlighted the important role of farmer organizations in bringing community experiences into government decision-making.
“As CSO members, you are the voice of the farmers. Your participation is important because you bring the realities, concerns, and experiences of farmers to the table,” Eleazar said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Oscar S. Jurado, Supervising Agriculturist of PRDIO, emphasized the importance of combining scientific knowledge with farmers’ experiences.
“The ultimate success of our programs can only be attained through active collaboration and participation between the government and civil society. Through collaboration with our partners, we can bring science into farming,” Jurado said.
He added that the PRDIO Soil Laboratory will continue to provide data that can guide agricultural planning, fertilizer application, and crop recommendations.
Hazel Baluca-Plaza, Local Government Operations Officer VI of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Agusan del Sur, stressed that CSO participation should go beyond attending consultations and should include meaningful involvement in program implementation and monitoring.
Project Development Officer Francis Eitaquio also emphasized that effective solutions begin with understanding the real challenges faced by communities.
“Before we can create meaningful solutions, we must first understand and clearly identify the problems we are trying to address. Good planning begins by listening, looking at the realities on the ground, and using available data and evidence,” he said.
As the province continues to advance the initiative, PJ V. Dela Peña, PH-OGP Point of Contact and Provincial Information Officer of Agusan del Sur, called for sustained cooperation among government offices, farmers, and civil society groups.
“This initiative is not just about a program—it is about working together to support the people who feed our communities and help sustain our local economy,” Dela Peña said.
The recent consultation marks another step in Agusan del Sur’s continuing effort to strengthen participatory governance and develop agricultural programs that respond to farmers’ needs.
By combining farmer knowledge, scientific research, and open collaboration, the province aims to build a more sustainable farming system where decisions are based on evidence and farmers are empowered to achieve more productive livelihoods.
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