Feedback from Municipal Agriculturists and Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) in the Cordillera indicated that farmers typically wait 5 to 7 days, and in some cases, more than 10 days, to receive printed soil test reports, while reports sent via email are usually received within 1 to 4 days. The primary cause of delay in delivering test results is long travel time due to distance, road conditions, and vehicle availability.
To address the challenge faced by farmers and enable them to make timely and informed decisions driven by efficient access to soil test reports, a digital platform is being developed under a capstone project to enhance agricultural productivity called the SoilTrack System.
The system is a transformative initiative designed to benefit farmers by improving their accessibility to soil test results through real-time sample tracking, automated report generation, and delivery of fertilizer recommendations. The capstone project also promotes agricultural practices by encouraging farmers to adopt balanced fertilization techniques while also reducing transportation costs and turnaround time.
Spearheading the said project is Maribel Mananguit, Chief of the Regional Soils Laboratory (RSL) under the Department of Agriculture–Cordillera’s (DA-CAR) Integrated Laboratories Division, in collaboration with the Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division – Information and Communications Technology Service, and Field Operations Division.
With the SoilTrack System, farmers will receive an SMS notification once the RSL receives the sample for analysis, and another notification once the report is ready, including the summary of the test results with general findings. Farmers may access the full results directly from the RSL website using a reference code.
The system’s prospective automation features with manual SMS notifications are projected to reduce turnaround time by at least 35% while minimizing manual errors. Strategic partnerships were established with the Municipal Agriculture Office of Kapangan and the I-Kapangan Farmer Entrepreneurs Organization (I-KFEO) to facilitate pilot testing and provide training for farmers. It has also progressed through baseline assessments, continuous development, and preparation for pilot testing in selected municipalities in the Cordillera region.
The SoilTrack System will be accessible to farmers, AEWs, and other stakeholders once the system is established. By Cy-j E. Waytan
