DOLE promoting farming and other agri-courses

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in a bid to resolve the country’s high unemployment rate, is now encouraging graduating students to get into farming and other agriculture-related courses.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said graduates of agriculture courses can easily find employment since agribusiness has been classified among the so-called key job generators for the next decade.

“The tropical nature of the country will work to the advantage of Filipino jobseekers skilled in farming and crop cultivation because agriculture and agriculture-based industries are seen to be the most prominent driver of the economy in terms of employment,” Baldoz said.

“Agriculture jobs are really sought after. These are jobs the demand for which never falter because our country is basically still agricultural. Before, farming is more of a necessity; but today, it has evolved into a profession which pays off with first-rate remuneration,” she added.

Citing data from the DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), Baldoz said, workers who are into agriculture, hunting, and forestry earn an average salary of P12,000 to P22,000 per month and this could even go up to as high as P50,000 for those highly trained and experienced.

Baldoz said some of the professions which requires expertise in this field, but guarantee a return of high income, are agriculturists, horticulturists, and veterinary technologists.

According to Baldoz, the agricultural workforce has changed dramatically as agricultural producers now rely on new technology.

Baldoz said acquiring a degree in agriculture cost between P7,000 to P10,000 per semester in public technical institutions. The course normally takes four years to finish.

After graduating, an agriculturist can work outside on fields and pastures, as well as indoors, on research laboratories and boardrooms, giving seminars, and information sessions.

The cost of a horticulturist’s course, on the other hand, range from P7,000 to P15,000 per semester in public schools. Horticulturists earn a monthly income ranging from P12,000 to P20,000 per month.

“There are many career opportunities for horticulturists. They can be employed in R & D companies; retail garden centers, or work as consultants and maintenance crew for botanical and horticultural gardens,” Baldoz said.

Baldoz said demand for veterinary technologists in livestock and poultry farms and food, drugs, and disease research companies is also high. Entry level salary for veterinary professionals ranges from P10,000 to P15,000 per month and may even go up to P17,000 per month, while the cost of education is about P5,000 to P10,000 per semester in public training institutions.

Other highly in-demand occupations in the agriculture industry which guarantee high incomes for holders or occupants are agronomists, geologists, microbiologists, and surveyors.

“Agriculture is the world’s biggest business and its scope is increasing all the time. Also, career opportunities have become unlimited due to global changes. With this, students who shall become potential jobseekers should wisely choose to follow courses that will directly fill in these vacancies,” Baldoz said. –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)