6,000 agricultural workers are set to be deployed across the country this year in a bid to strengthen farmer support and increase productivity in the sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
The announcement was made by Undersecretary Asis Perez in an interview at Special on Saturday (SOS), highlighting a renewed focus on direct engagement with farmers.
“For a long time, ang Department of Agriculture parang nandun lang tayo sa ibabaw eh. Wala tayong direct work with the farmers.,” Perez said.
“Beginning this year, ay magagawa na natin. Meron na tayong i-dedeploy. Hopefully, matapos natin. 6,000 agricultural workers ang i-deploy natin all over the country,” the Usec. added.
The initiative comes alongside a proposed increase in the DA’s budget from ₱153 billion to ₱185 billion, pending presidential approval. Perez emphasized that each investment in farming is expected to generate immediate results, with increased production within six months.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will work closely with the DA to provide training and certification for these agricultural workers. Deputy Director General Sarge Colambo said TESDA programs go beyond traditional farming, including agribusiness skills and technology-driven practices.
“Merong close coordination with ATI ang TESDA. Lalo pa dun sa mga farmers na gustong magkaroon ng beyond the production, agribusiness sinasabi. So merong training tayong ginagawa dun,” Colambo explained.
Perez underscored the importance of training farmers in value-adding processes, noting that many farmers currently sell their products at low prices due to a lack of access to higher-profit markets.
“Kung mabibigyan talaga ng training, pagsasanay yung mga farmer na maging bahagi sila ng more profitable part of the value chain, then that will encourage farmers to continue farming,” he said.
The collaboration between DA and TESDA also includes upcoming programs in bamboo production, with training boot camps planned in three regions—Luzon, Bicol, and Iloilo—aimed at promoting both livelihood opportunities and environmental sustainability.
The program also targets the challenge of the sector’s aging workforce. With the median age of agricultural workers at 58–59, the DA and TESDA aim to attract younger Filipinos back to agriculture by providing better earnings, training, and technology-based opportunities.
