On May 14, 2025, the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) of the Philippines, Inc. hosted the Talent Summit 2025: Reskilling and Upskilling for a Technology-Driven Workplace at Sheraton Ballroom A, Newport World Resorts in Pasay City. The event brought together leaders from various industries to tackle talent-related challenges across sectors. The first panel session zeroed in on one of the most critical yet overlooked industries—agriculture.
Moderated by Dr. Ernie Cecilia, Chair of AmCham’s Human Capital and Resources Committee, the first panel featured distinguished voices, including Usec. Rosemarie Edillon (Undersecretary for National Development Policy and Planning), David Espuerta (Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant, Cargill), and Atty. Mel Hernandez III (Corporate Affairs and Government Relations, Dole Philippines).
The discussion revealed urgent issues confronting the agriculture sector in the Philippines: persistent talent shortages, negative perceptions, outdated systems, and a lack of investment in innovation.
Underdog Sector with Untapped Potential
Usec. Edillon emphasized that agriculture is often viewed as an “underdog” industry, seen as low-tech and unappealing, particularly among younger generations. Yet, the sector is crucial to national development and food security. She noted the need for a whole-of-society approach and referenced the government’s “Trabaho Para sa Bayan” plan to address employment gaps strategically.
Deep Talent Gaps and Limited Awareness
Panelists collectively identified critical hard-to-fill roles, including veterinarians, microbiologists, fisheries experts, and agritech specialists. Espuerta added that from a practical standpoint, there’s a growing demand for agriculture and tech hybrid professionals—individuals who can thrive in a digital-first farming environment. Atty. Hernandez noted that few Filipinos are entering the agri-sector, even as demand grows both locally and globally.
Innovation, Rebranding, and Learning Hubs
The conversation shifted toward potential solutions. Espuerta encouraged replicating the boot camp and awareness hub models used in the early 2000s to promote careers in BPOs and IT. Rebranding agriculture—showing it as a modern, tech-driven field—was proposed as a strategic step. Edillon emphasized the need for structural educational reforms and micro-credentialing pathways to open flexible career routes for younger talent.
Invest in R&D and People
Atty. Hernandez pointed out that the Philippines allocates only 0.32% of its GDP to research and development—a number far behind global benchmarks. To stay competitive, he urged the government to increase R&D funding and incentivize innovation. He and Edillon also stressed the importance of increasing pay scales and professionalizing farm management to make the sector more attractive.
Engaging the Next Generation
A recurring theme was the importance of changing the narrative. Panelists highlighted the power of social media, farmer-influencers, and content creators in making agriculture relatable and inspiring to Gen Z. Espuerta also noted the need to support aging farmers through “train-the-trainer” programs that ensure older workers can adapt to digital tools and techniques.
My Personal Takeaway as a Recruitment Professional
As a recruiter, I see how critical collective action is to uplift the agriculture sector. We must promote agri-related roles by emphasizing their long-term value and national impact. Beyond filling jobs, we should present these careers as purposeful and vital to food security. By partnering with agri-businesses and raising awareness, we can rebrand the sector and attract mission-driven talent, helping build a future where more Filipinos choose to serve the nation through meaningful work.
Cultivating a Future-Ready Workforce
The agriculture panel at Talent Summit 2025 underscored the pressing need for reskilling, rebranding, and reform. Solving the talent gap in agriculture requires cross-sector collaboration, bold investments, and a renewed commitment to make agriculture viable and aspirational for the Filipino workforce.
Help Shape the Future of Agri-Talent
Solving the agriculture talent gap starts with strategic partnerships and bold reskilling initiatives. At John Clements Consultants, we help organizations discover and develop future-ready professionals—even in underserved sectors like agriculture.
Contact us today to explore workforce solutions that make a national impact.
