THE Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Integrated Laboratory Division (ILD), has conducted a Soil Testing Orientation and Demonstration in Lower Tiparak village, Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur, a top DA official announced Friday, November 27,2020.

DA Regional Executive Director Rad Donn Cedeño said the activity is in support to the Center for Disaster Preparedness Foundation Inc. in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development for implementing the Project Prosper Phase III (Participation in Resilience Building and Organizing Safe and Progressive Communities for empowerment climate and disaster risk – reduction resilience building in Salug) in the areas in Salug Valley in the region.

Cedeño said one of the project components focused on Climate Information System and Climate Friendly Agriculture through the implementation of Climate Resiliency Field School.

He said among the topics discussed during the orientation were soil fertility, importance of soil testing, proper way of soil sample collection, fertilizer recommendation and application.

Cedeño said the team also introduced Trichoderma Harzianum, a biological control agent used for foliar application, seed treatment and soil treatment for suppression of various diseases causing fungal pathogens like fusarium wilt, blight, drooping, stem and root rot, damping off. Each participant received a pack of Trichoderma Harzianum.

He said hands–on field demonstration by the participants on proper soil sample collection highlighted the orientation. (SunStar Zamboanga)