Mission

Formulating Measures for the Effective Utilization of Soil & Water Resources

To formulate measures and guidelines for the effective utilization of soil and water resources as vital agricultural resources — attaining food security and safety, environmental stability through soil and water resources-based adaptation and mitigation measures that address multi-environmental concerns on land degradation, climate change, and agricultural biodiversity conservation.

Vision

Sustainable Soil & Water Management in Harmony with Nature

Sustainable management of soil and water resources for agricultural production systems that are in harmony with nature — where food is health-safe, and food resource production is economically viable and socially acceptable, ensuring a food-secure and resilient Philippines with empowered and prosperous farmers and fisherfolk.

Implemented by

DA-BSWM

The National Soil Health Program (NSHP) was approved in June 2021 and is implemented by the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM). With a total budget of ₱1.5 billion over three years, the program aims to have a systematic and holistic approach in addressing soil health to ensure sustainable use and management of soil resources, enhanced crop productivity, and increased farmers' income — in line with the twin objectives of Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita. It continues to expand under the National Soil Health Volunteer Program (NSHVP).

₱523.57M
Year 1 Approved Budget
2021–2023
Initial Implementation
3.19M ha
Areas Surveyed
15+
Regional Soils Labs
81 Provs
Rice Areas Covered
Phil NASOLAN
Lab Network Chair
Program Components

Four Major Components of NSHP

The program addresses soil health through a comprehensive, science-based framework designed to rejuvenate degraded lands and equip Filipino farmers with modern tools.

🗄️

National Soil Database & Monitoring

Institutionalizes a national soil database and monitoring system to rejuvenate degraded soils. Enhances national and regional soil laboratories through modern equipment, upgraded facilities, and trained technical staff.

🚐

Mobile Soils Laboratories

Acquires modern mobile soils laboratories that serve farms far from established DA-BSWM laboratories. Trains LGU extension workers, farmer-leaders, and stakeholders on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils.

🤝

Multi-Sector Partnerships

Strengthens partnerships with government agencies, LGUs, state universities, the private sector, and farmer groups to sustain food security and mainstream sustainable soil management practices nationwide.

🧪

National Soil Kit (OneDA)

Develops a National Soil Kit under the "OneDA" brand covering all physical, chemical, and biological indicators of soil health. Improves soil analysis for macro- and micro-nutrients and develops standardized manuals.

NSHP Project 1

Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Strategy (ABFS)

A science-based farming method that uses the cost-efficient and proper combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers to enhance crop productivity while safeguarding soil health for generations.

ABFS farmers harvesting rice at a BSWM techno-demo site
DA-BSWM ABFS techno-demo harvest — farmers reaping the benefits of balanced fertilization. Photo: ABFS Region 4B FIT / DA-BSWM Soil Survey Division

What is ABFS?

The Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Strategy (ABFS) is a flagship sustainable soil management practice under NSHP. It promotes nutrient recycling to address soil fertility decline and rising fertilizer costs, improving fertilizer use efficiency and climate resiliency across rice and corn growing areas.

For 2023 under NSHP, BSWM established nationwide ABFS technology demonstrations of 100 hectares per region, coupled with capacity-building for farmers and extension workers through the Soil and Water Access Team (SWAT).

Rice Corn Nationwide Demo Farms SWAT Teams FertRight App
  • 1
    Reduced Production CostCombined organic and inorganic fertilizers cut costs through nutrient recycling and reduced inorganic input.
  • 2
    Improved Soil PropertiesOrganic fertilizers restore physical, chemical, and biological soil properties for long-term fertility.
  • 3
    Increased Agricultural ProductivityRestores soil health, increases yields, and minimizes environmental impact — sustaining farmer profitability.
100 ha
Demo farm per region
SWAT
Per-region field access teams
↑ Yield
Proven gains in techno-demo sites
FertRight
Site-specific fertilizer app
NSHP Project 2

Mobile Soils Laboratory (MSL)

Bringing the laboratory to the farm — the MSL delivers rapid, accurate soil analysis and fertilizer guidance to even the most remote farming communities in the Philippines.

Science at the Doorstep of Every Farmer

The Mobile Soils Laboratory is a flagship component of NSHP, operated by the DA-BSWM Laboratory Services Division (LSD) and Soil Survey Division (SSD). It travels to remote municipalities, providing on-site soil analysis for organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, and pH — with fertilizer recommendations issued within minutes.

The MSL also conducts multi-week deployments per area, hosting training sessions on soil sample collection protocols, the Soil and Water Test Kit, and the BSWM FertRight App — in close collaboration with LGUs, DA-RFOs, and state universities.

🔬

On-Site Analysis

Soil samples tested on the spot — no travel to a provincial lab required.

📋

Fertilizer Guide

Immediate, site-specific fertilizer recommendations from soil test results.

🎓

Capacity Building

Trains LGU workers, farmer-leaders, and agriculture students on soil science.

🗺️

Remote Access

Reaches municipalities and barangays far from established soil laboratories.

"We made soil testing available and accessible through our Mobile Soils Laboratory (MSL), providing accurate solutions to soil health. While this is meant to reach the remotest of our farms, the MSL also reaches every city, delivering the message on the importance of soil health."

— Dir. Gina Parde-Nilo, Ph.D., DA-BSWM Director
DA-BSWM Mobile Soils Laboratory vehicle deployment with officials
Program Roadmap

NSHP Implementation Timeline

From presidential mandate to nationwide rollout — the key milestones that shaped the National Soil Health Program and its landmark projects.

1
2016
Presidential Commitment
President Duterte's SONA commits to nationwide soil testing and rehabilitation. DA-BSWM tasked to prepare updated soil-based agricultural guide maps.
2
2017–2021
SHA-NSST Project
DBM-funded Soil Health Assessment covering 81 provinces & 2 cities for rice and 23 provinces for corn. 3.19M hectares surveyed.
3
June 2021
NSHP Officially Launched
President Duterte approves ₱523.57M Year 1 budget. NSHP launched with ₱1.5B total allocation over 3 years under DA-BSWM.
4
2021–2023
MSL & Lab Strengthening
Mobile Soils Laboratories acquired and deployed. 15 Regional Soils Labs upgraded with modern equipment. Phil NASOLAN established.
5
2023–2025
ABFS Nationwide Rollout
ABFS techno-demo farms established at 100 ha per region. SWAT teams deployed nationwide. Capacity-building for farmers across all regions.
6
2025–Present
NSHVP Expansion
Expanded as National Soil Health Volunteer Program (NSHVP). 3rd Philippine Soil Partnership Plenary Assembly. Continued MSL deployments and ABFS adoption across BARMM and all regions.
NSHP Team

One Program, One Mission

The DA-BSWM team, regional focal persons, and partner organizations collaborating for the National Soil Health Program.

NSHP team group photo at DA-BSWM
DA-BSWM NSHP Implementation Team
National and regional representatives, partner agencies, and BSWM leadership united for soil health.