VSU holds international seminar to study Philippine soils

Photo Courtesy of Dr. Victor B. Asio

The Society for the Advancement of Philippine Soil Science (SAPSS) successfully conducted the International Seminar on Soil Examination and Field Description at Visayas State University (VSU) on October 21-24, 2025, which aims to promote stronger collaboration and share knowledge in soil science.

 The four-day event was organized in partnership with VSU and Southern Leyte State University (SLSU)-Hinunangan Campus, and gathered participants from various universities, institutions, and government agencies across the country and beyond.

To open the event, SAPSS President Dr. Victor B. Asio welcomed all participants through a welcome address about the importance of soil scientists in ensuring ecological balance and food security. 

Meanwhile, during her message, VSU President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes emphasized how the seminar supports VSU’s role as a leader in agricultural and environmental sciences.

“At VSU, we support initiatives which promote the advancement of the agriculture and environment sector, and this seminar highlights and supports our vision and role as stewards in these sectors in the region and across the country.”, President Yepes said.

For Day 1 and Day 2, the seminar featured a series of lectures from various experts in the field of soil science, which focused on understanding the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties, and how to interpret the depth functions for better soil evaluation.

For the succeeding days, participants moved from lecture session to field activities across different locations in Leyte. On Day 3, the group went to Kananga to examine Ultisol (Hapludult), and Cabintan and Lake Danao in Ormoc, Leyte to examine fertile volcanic soil known as Andisols.

On Day 4, the participants visited and examined Mollisol (Calciudoll) in Punta, Baybay, Vertisol (Hapludert) in Bato, Leyte, and well-known Maasin Clay in Matalom, Leyte. These field visits applied their learning through hands-on soil description and classification.

As the country’s agriculture faces threats, the SAPSS international seminar equipped the participants with new methods in soil examination and field description. These methods can be utilized to improve land-use planning and sustainable farm management practices, optimizing productivity and strengthening local food systems in the region and across the country.

For VSU, the event provided opportunities for faculty members and students to engage with the country’s leading experts in soil science, further enhancing VSU’s role as a center  for agricultural education and research.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Asio acknowledged everyone, especially VSU and SLSU, for the partnership in organizing the international seminar. “We gratefully thank President Prose Ivy G. Yepes of VSU and President Jude A. Duarte of SLSU for their strong support, which made the activity a big success”, he said.

The seminar concluded with participants gaining both learnings and hands-on knowledge on soil examination and field description, bridging theory and practice. It helped participants develop a deeper appreciation of Philippine soil diversity, which is an important resource that sustains agriculture, ecosystems, and communities.

This article is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education, and SDG 15: Life on Land.

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