ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA — Good harvests don't start with seeds. They start with soil. On November 10, 2026, the City Agriculture Office of Angeles City, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Soils and Water Management, conducted a Training on Soil Sampling and Soil Analysis via Soil Testing Kit for local farmers and Angeleños. The training was supported by Mayor Carmelo "Jon" B. Lazatin II, as part of the city's broader efforts to strengthen agricultural productivity and promote sustainable farming.
What the Training Covered
The session focused on equipping farmers with practical, science-based skills, including proper soil sampling—how to collect representative samples that accurately reflect field conditions—STK operation on how to use the Soil Test Kit to assess soil pH and nutrient levels for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, and fertilizer recommendation on how to interpret results and choose the right fertilizer and inputs for their crops. The STK is a rapid test designed for field use, using color charts to determine whether soil is acidic or alkaline and whether nutrient levels are low, medium, or high, making sophisticated soil analysis accessible to farmers without the need for expensive laboratory equipment or lengthy waiting periods. Results from the STK can also be input into the FertRight mobile application, which automatically generates fertilizer recommendations based on the 3Rs: Right amount, Right kind, and Right timing of application—a digital tool that makes precision agriculture accessible even in remote farming communities.
The Bigger Picture and Why This Matters
The Angeles City training aligns with the National Soil Health Program, which deploys Mobile Soil Laboratories across the country to bring testing services directly to farmers. Just days earlier, on November 5, a similar training was held in Candaba, Pampanga, where around 50 farmers learned the same skills—proof that Central Luzon is becoming a hub for science-based soil management. Angeles City has been part of this movement before, as early as 2022, when the City Agriculture Office partnered with local schools for soil testing under the Gulayan sa Paaralan Program, helping ensure that school gardens had healthy soil for their feeding programs. For farmers, the difference between guessing and knowing can mean the difference between a modest harvest and an abundant one. By teaching farmers how to test their own soil, Angeles City is empowering them with data to make informed decisions, reducing unnecessary fertilizer costs by applying only what's needed, protecting the environment from over-fertilization, and improving crop yields and long-term soil health. To the farmers of Angeles City: the knowledge is in your hands now. Use it well. Healthy soil. Better harvests. A stronger Angeles City.
