The Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur hopes to secure more opportunities and partnership with the Australian government following a visit from representatives of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) to the site of the province's future soils laboratory in Prosperidad town. 

The ACIAR chairperson and members toured the site of the P250 million state-of-the-art soils laboratory project on May 23, 2024. 

According to the provincial government, the visit was an important step toward establishing future engagements with the Australian government and to get more opportunities and funding to advance the province’s agricultural sector.

Once construction of the facility is finished by 2025, the 1,687 square meters soils laboratory can already conduct advanced analytical capabilities of physical, chemical and biological characterization of soils to boost the agricultural productivity of farmers.

With the laboratory being able to provide accurate soil information, farmers will be equipped with knowledge in choosing the right crops and fertilizer suitable for their farmlands.

“This will then optimize their plant growth and farming which will translate savings for the farmers,” the provincial government said.