DA girds for 'hiring wave' of agriculturists with passage of new laws

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday it is preparing for an expected hiring surge as new and upcoming laws aimed at boosting food production will bolster the need for thousands of agriculture and animal science professionals.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA expects to hire about 20,000 agriculturists once the bill returning agricultural extension workers to the department is approved. With this, the statement said the department is preparing for a "massive hiring wave."

"Each [agriculturist] will monitor at least 25 hectares, which roughly translates to assisting 25 farmers," he said.

Beyond extension personnel, the recently enacted Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act will also require more veterinarians and graduates from allied fields to strengthen the country's livestock systems.

Tiu Laurel said the DA has begun coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). 

"I spoke with [CHED] Chairwoman Shirley Agrupis about our manpower needs once the extension law is passed. We requested the reinstatement of agriculturist courses in state universities, and her response was very positive," the Agriculture chief said.

The push for talent comes as the Professional Regulation Commission released results of the latest Agriculture Licensure Examination. 

Of 9,742 examinees, 6,678 passed—fresh graduates whom the DA hopes would fill the massive workforce needed to support the country’s agriculture modernization.

Tiu Laurel said rebuilding a nationwide corps of extension workers, whose supervision had been devolved to local governments, would dramatically improve the DA's ability to gather timely, accurate data from the ground. 

He said this is essential for crafting sound policy and responding quickly to the needs of farmers, fisherfolk, and other players in the agri-value chain.

"With real-time data, we can act faster and measure the impact of our programs—from seeds and fertilizers to palay prices. All the information will flow straight to our command center for quick analysis and decisive action," Tiu Laurel said.

Agriculture accounts for around 9% of gross domestic product and employs one in every five Filipinos, according to the DA chief.

"President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is pushing hard for the sector's modernization to create more jobs, increase incomes of stakeholders, ensure the country's food security, and lessen dependence on import food," he said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News