Dinalupihan, Bataan — The Australian government has called on Bataan students who want to become scholars in soil science in a public university in this province as it plans to finance soil tests and scholarships in soil science in Bataan and three other provinces here.

Third District Representative Maria Angela Garcia disclosed that the scholarships are offered in masteral and doctoral degrees at the Griffith University.

The scholarships will go to universities in Bataan, Agusan, Ilocos and Tarlac, adding that these provinces will serve as pilot areas.

It is spearheaded by the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research in coordination with the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology.

The lawmaker cited that there is a need to test the soil before utilizing it for farming, adding that a healthy soil would yield a better harvest.

Garcia added that interventions like this needs to be based on scientific evidence.