The Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) has contributed to the enhancement of agricultural productivity through soil conservation, Sen. Cynthia Villar said recently.
“The BSWM has been essential in ensuring the sustainable use of land management and enhance crop productivity and farmers’ income,” she said during BSWM’s 72nd founding anniversary.
The senator also commended the bureau for fostering a more resilient and environmentally conscious agricultural sector by offering technical assistance to farmers through effective soil resource management to maintain soil productivity and farm profitability, as well as to strengthen the rural economy, enhance global competitiveness of local produce, and enhance soil quality.
“Over the years, the BSWM has adopted to evolving challenges faced by the agricultural sector. It has embraced technological advancement, scientific researches, and collaborated with various stakeholders to address emerging issues such as climate change, land degradation and soil and water pollution,” Villar said.
The senator also reaffirmed her support for composting technology and the use of organic fertilizers as better farming methods for soil preservation.
For his part, DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said that the BSWM is one of the economic drivers of the department in ensuring that the country will have sustainable water management and clean water resources.
As a highlight of this year’s celebration, the BSWM soft launched “Mainstreaming, Institutionalization, and Legislation of the BSWM National Soil Health Program and Strategy,” which serves as the roadmap of the Bureau for 2023–2030.
