SLSU Expands International Reach, Strengthens Expertise in Soil Science and Sustainability
Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) took part in the 1st International Seminar on Soil Examination and Field Description held at Visayas State University (VSU) from October 21–24, 2025.
The four-day seminar, jointly organized by the Society for the Advancement of Philippine Soil Science (SAPPS), VSU, and SLSU-Hinunangan Campus, gathered soil science instructors, researchers, and graduate students from across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in a landmark collaboration to advance soil literacy and promote sustainable land management.
Designed as a skills-building seminar, the event combined classroom-based learning with hands-on fieldwork and soil excursions to provide participants with updated, practical techniques in soil assessment. Sessions covered a range of competencies—from measuring the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils to mastering sampling design, suitability evaluation, and soil fertility management aimed at building climate-resilient and productive agricultural systems.
Participants conducted on-site field examinations and soil profile descriptions across key reference soil groups commonly found in Philippine landscapes, including Entisol, Inceptisol, Andisol, Vertisol, Mollisol, and Ultisol. By comparing these profiles in real field conditions, attendees deepened their understanding of how differences in soil texture, structure, mineral composition, and horizon development influence crop suitability, irrigation practices, and long-term land stewardship.
SLSU played both organizational and instructional roles in the seminar. Dr. Ian A. Navarrete, Professor of Environmental Science at SLSU, served as one of the resource persons, sharing insights drawn from years of fieldwork and soil excursions across the Philippines, Russia, Germany, Poland, Canada, and Japan. His lectures on soil profile description emphasized the importance of consistent terminology, horizon recognition, and context-driven interpretation, which are essential skills for converting raw field observations into reliable information for farmers, planners, and policymakers.
Dr. Navarrete underscored that accurate soil description forms the foundation of evidence-based decision-making, from fertilizer recommendations to erosion control and climate-smart agriculture. By making soil science more accessible and practical, his sessions helped bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world agricultural application.
Beyond instructional support, Engr. Anna Mae Cuta and Ms. Meriza Saga represented SLSU-Hinunangan Campus as active participants. Their engagement reflects SLSU’s applied and community-oriented approach, ensuring that knowledge gained through advanced training is translated into meaningful local action. These faculty members are expected to cascade their learnings to local farmers, students, and community partners, strengthening grassroots capacity for sustainable land and resource management.
As the Visayas region faces increasing challenges from soil erosion, extreme weather events, and changing land-use patterns, the need for accurate soil data and interpretation becomes critical. By helping organize this international seminar, SLSU has strengthened its leadership in applied soil science and its dedication to capacity-building within the academic and agricultural sectors.
In celebrating the success of the 1st International Seminar on Soil Examination and Field Description, SLSU proves a central belief: Better soil knowledge leads to better soil use, and ultimately, better yields and better lives.
Through expert instruction, active collaboration, and community engagement, SLSU continues to transform science into service, supporting farmers, empowering communities, and nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards across Southern Leyte and beyond.
The seminar’s objectives are strongly aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). By enhancing soil examination and fertility management, the initiative contributes to sustainable food production systems and promotes resilient agricultural practices in support of SDG 2. Through field-based learning that addresses soil degradation and climate variability, it advances adaptive land use planning and fosters climate resilience in line with SDG 13. Furthermore, by encouraging responsible stewardship of soil resources, the seminar supports ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation consistent with SDG 15.