LAOAG CITY: Ilocos Norte is partnering with Australia's Griffith University for a five-year USD3.5 million project designed to enhance the productivity and sustainability of rice and garlic-based cropping systems in the Philippines through soil health management. Arnold Pascua, senior agriculturist of the provincial government, told the Philippine News Agency that Ilocos Norte is one of the pilot provinces in the country where research trials will be conducted. According to Philippines News Agency, the other provinces involved in the trials are Tarlac, Bataan, and Agusan Del Sur. These trials are expected to last between two to three years, depending on the data gathered. Pascua emphasized that the results from the trials would benefit farmers by enhancing the agro ecosystem and soil types specific to the region. Additionally, technologies developed from this research will be integrated into the national soil health program. The project is a collaborative effort involving the Australian Centre for Internati onal Agriculture Research, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, Griffith University, and Provincial Agriculture Offices. In Ilocos Norte, field trials will be conducted in the towns of Pasuquin and San Nicolas. The project also includes capacity building, the establishment of demonstration farms, and a farmer's survey. Due to recent typhoons in the Philippines, the project's launch has been postponed to early January next year. The initiative aims to create a soil information system that will enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience in key cropping systems through improved soil health management. It will also provide support to farmers and stakeholders in promoting sustainable agricultural production.