Agusan del Sur State University (ADSSU) continues to shape how technical skills are defined and delivered in the agriculture sector, following a visit from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and regional partners.

University President Dr. Joy C. Capistrano and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Quality Assurance Dr. Carmelo S. Llanto welcomed the delegation, with discussions going beyond institutional coordination to focus on how training systems can better respond to on-the-ground realities—particularly in farming communities where soil health directly affects productivity and livelihoods.

At the center of the visit was ADSSU’s contribution to the development of Competency Standards in Field Soil Testing and Fertility Assessment Level III, a technical framework that helps define what practitioners need to know and be able to do in assessing soil conditions. 

For communities in Agusan del Sur and across Caraga, this translates to more reliable soil analysis, better-informed fertilizer use, and more sustainable farming practices. In the long term, efforts like these support SDG 2: Zero Hunger by improving agricultural productivity, while strengthening SDG 4: Quality Education through industry-aligned training and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by preparing a more competent rural workforce.

In recognition of this work, TESDA awarded a Certificate of Commendation to the ADSSU management and faculty—affirming the University’s role not just as an academic institution, but as a contributor to national standards that shape real-world practice.

The engagement also signaled a continuing partnership between ADSSU and TESDA, anchored on a shared goal: ensuring that education, especially in agriculture, remains relevant to the needs of communities it ultimately serves