BSWM Enhances Skills of CBSUAns on Soil Resources Characterization

In a concerted effort to capacitate and re skill Relevant Interested Parties (RIPs) on soil survey and classification, the Soils Survey Division (SSD) of the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) collaborated with the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), through the initiative of the Soil Science Department, on the conduct of "The Capacity Building on Soil Survey and Classification: A Training Workshop for CBSUA Soil Science Advocates".

The Activity was conducted on April 03-05, 2024 at CBSUA Agriville and Learning Hub, San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur which was participated in by the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) major in Soil Science students, faculty, and alumni.

Bringing the opportunity and privilege to give back to the institution that shaped them, the DA-BSWM delegated Mr. Sandy B. Abiad and Mr. Eugene A. Boongaling, technical staff from the SSD and both alumni of CBSUA, to represent the BSWM and impart knowledge and skills to the participants on this remarkable initiative.

The three-day capacity building activity featured various topics, a series of interactive sessions, hands-on demonstrations, and field exercises which created connections and gained insights into the advancements and latest methodologies being adopted and practiced by the BSWM. The participants have also been given the opportunity to experience hands-on activities on site description and soil characterization, soil monolith collection and preparation, soil sample collection for fertility assessment and mapping, data management and soil fertility map generation, and soil suitability assessment and evaluation which enhanced their technical competencies. These enriched activities significantly contributed to the CBSUA's Capacity Building Program.

The successful collaboration between the DA-BSWM and CBSUA underscores the importance of partnership in the advancement of Soil Science, as well as, unearthing potentials of students and practitioners in shaping technical expertise for a more resilient soil science advocates in the future.

(Eugene A. Boongaling and Sandy B. Abiad)

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