Agriculture Secretary William Dar led the ceremonial launching of the Yamang Lupa Sustainable Community-based Action R4DE [research for development and extension] for Livelihood Uplifting and Prosperity (YL SCALE UP) Program held on 3 December 2021 at Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City.
Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) director Junel Soriano, together with assistant director Joell Lales, spearheaded the activity to discuss the plans and goals for the nationwide implementation of the program.
An upscaling of the 2013 DA-BAR–supported Yamang Lupa Program (YLP): Adoption of the Bhoochetana Principles in the Philippines, the YL SCALE UP Program is expected to cover thousands of hectares of rainfed and upland areas in the country.
With DA-BAR as the funding and lead coordinating agency and the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management, three YLP projects were carried out by Southern Luzon State University, in partnership with DA CALABARZON; DA Eastern Visayas with Visayas State University; and DA Zamboanga Peninsula with the Western Mindanao State University.
The three-year pilot projects collaborated with 3,705 farmers for the stratified soil sampling and analysis of a total of 32,903.30 hectares; and the generation and distribution of 2,528 soil health cards—a one-page information material that reflects general information of the farmer, soil macro and micronutrient analysis and the respective crop and soil management recommendations, among others. The projects also packaged and provided the best bet options of technologies in response to the results of the analysis conducted.
Another highlight of the event was the signing of a memorandum of understanding where DA-Zamboanga Peninsula, led by Regional Executive Director Rad Donn Cedeño, and four state universities and colleges–Western Mindanao State University, J. H. Cerilles State College, Mindanao State University-Buug Campus, and Jose Rizal Memorial State University, signified their commitment to collaborate with DA and DA-BAR in implementing the program.
The YL SCALE-UP Program will implement and further harness the adapted science-led soil revival strategies and management practices toward boosting the productivity of farmers and strengthening their coping mechanisms amidst climate anomalies.