The Department of Agriculture (DA) is bracing for a hiring surge, with forthcoming reforms set to unlock around 20,000 jobs for agriculturists, veterinarians, and other key agriculture professionals.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said Thursday the agency expects to hire about 20,000 agriculturists once the bill returning agricultural extension workers to the department is passed.

“Each 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 additional veterinarians and graduates from allied fields to help strengthen the country’s livestock systems.

To prepare for the manpower surge, Tiu Laurel said he has already coordinated with the Commission on Higher Education. 

“I spoke with 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,” he said.

The push comes as the Professional Regulation Commission released the latest Agriculture Licensure Examination results: 6,678 of 9,742 examinees passed, a pool of new graduates the DA hopes will fill the growing workforce needed to support agriculture modernization.

Agriculture accounts for about 9 percent of the country’s gross domestic product but employs one in every five Filipinos.