President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday bared plans to establish permanent soil laboratories in every region as part of the government’s efforts to help farmers increase their productivity and improve agricultural yield.

Speaking during a dialogue with the 50th Gawad Saka Awardees at the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija, Marcos underscored the importance of understanding soil conditions to guide government interventions and farm support.

“Para naman pagandahin pa ang inyong produksyon, nagdala kami dito… ‘yung labing-anim na mobile soil laboratory. Bawat region, magbibigay tayo. Magtatagal sa isang lugar tapos iikot para mapag-aralan kung ano ang pangangailangan (To further improve your production, we brought here… 16 mobile soil laboratories. Each region will have one. It will stay in one place and then move around to assess what is needed),” Marcos said.

He said these mobile laboratories are only the first phase of a broader plan to permanently equip regions with soil analysis facilities.

“Pero pagkatapos nitong mobile laboratory, maggagawa tayo ng permanent. Gusto naming maglagay ng permanent soil laboratory sa bawat region. Kaya ito, Phase 1 pa lang ito, ika nga (After these mobile laboratories, we will build permanent ones. We want to put up a permanent soil laboratory in every region. So this is just phase one, so to speak),” he added.

Marcos also expressed gratitude and admiration for the Gawad Saka awardees, describing their work as vital to national development and food security.

“Maraming salamat sa inyong sakripisyo (Thank you for your sacrifices),” he said.

A total of 43 individuals and institutions from across the country were honored this year under the Gawad Saka program, the Department of Agriculture’s highest recognition for excellence and innovation in the farming and fisheries sectors. (PNA)