The expansion comes as the agency moves to rebuild critical field operations and modernize services that have long been constrained by manpower shortages, the DA explained in a press statement.
20,000 extension workers eyed
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA expects to hire around 20,000 agriculturists once the measure returning agricultural extension workers to the DA is passed.
“Each will monitor at least 25 hectares, which roughly translates to assisting 25 farmers,” he said.
Reintegrating extension services—previously devolved to local governments—is seen as vital to strengthening farmer support and enabling the department to respond more effectively to on-ground needs.
More veterinary manpower needed
Aside from extension personnel, the newly enacted Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act will require additional veterinarians and allied professionals to reinforce livestock systems nationwide.
To prepare, Tiu Laurel said he has begun coordinating with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). “We requested the reinstatement of agriculturist courses in state universities, and Chair Shirley Agrupis’ response was very positive,” he said.
Fresh graduates expected to fill posts
The Professional Regulation Commission recently announced that 6,678 of 9,742 examinees passed the Agriculture Licensure Examination—new graduates the DA hopes will help fill its expanded workforce needs.
Tiu Laurel said rebuilding a national corps of extension workers will greatly improve the DA’s ability to gather accurate, real-time data.
“All the information will flow straight to our command center for quick analysis and decisive action,” he said.
Agriculture contributes about 9 percent of GDP and employs one in five Filipinos, making workforce expansion central to the Marcos administration’s push for sector modernization and food security. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
