These are the departments that are generating the most employment in the livestock sector

The most recent Livestock Characterization Survey conducted by Fedegán established that cattle and buffalo farming generated 1,099,273 jobs in Colombia in 2025. This figure is based on information collected from 736,972 farms surveyed during the first vaccination cycle of the year , allowing for an updated analysis of the relationship between employment and production dynamics.

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According to the report, the livestock sector is the largest generator of employment in the rural and agricultural sectors. Compared to the statistical survey at the beginning of the century, when nearly 910,000 jobs were reported, the increase is 200,000 in two decades. " In the last twenty years, the number of employed people grew 21%, while the national livestock population increased by 33% ," the report stated.

The importance of the sector is also reflected in its territorial coverage. Fedegán highlighted that cattle are present in 1,088 of the country's 1,103 municipalities , making the activity a driver of rural employment with national reach.

The analysis showed that the herd's productive orientation is a determining factor in labor demand. Specialized dairy farming requires the most personnel, with an average of 5.9 jobs per 100 animals. In contrast, fattening generates 3 jobs per 100 head. Overall, dual-purpose dairy farming accounts for the largest share of employment, with 529,892 people, followed by livestock farming with 267,743, and specialized dairy farming with 155,227.

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The document specifies that " every 100 head of cattle generates an average of 3.8 jobs in the sector ," although with regional and productive variations. In departments with a greater presence of smallholdings, such as Boyacá, Nariño, and Cundinamarca, the demand for labor is higher due to the number of small farms, which increases employment even though their inventories are not the largest. Likewise, the departments that generate the most employment in the livestock sector are Boyacá, Cundinamarca, and Antioquia.

The data also sheds light on the importance of small producers. One-third of livestock employment originates on farms with fewer than 10 animals. In these units, the average is 1.04 jobs per farm, revealing that the workforce is distributed across narrow segments of land and livestock. "Smaller farms are not large enough to divide the workforce, so they hire at least one person, including family labor," the survey indicates.

Women's participation stands out as a growing factor. Of the farms surveyed, 216,670 are headed by women, who provide 297,903 jobs, equivalent to 27.1% of the total. Seventy-six percent of female employment is concentrated on farms with between one and 25 animals , reflecting both the limited access to capital and infrastructure and the limited capacity for small-scale management.

(See also: Livestock in the Americas, vital for food security, says IICA Executive Committee )

The study warns that women face challenges in accessing credit, technical programs, and using agricultural technologies. However, it highlights their strategic role in assuming leadership roles, planning, health management, and marketing in local communities.

The report states that the sector's challenge is to advance technological development processes without reducing rural employment. " The link between farm size, labor intensity, and productive efficiency is becoming increasingly relevant for guiding public policy ," the analysis emphasized.

For the coming years, it is recommended to strengthen associative and cooperative models that allow small livestock farmers to access collective technologies, improve their integration into value chains, and increase their negotiating power. Likewise, it is proposed to consolidate policies that recognize the role of women in the industry , promote their inclusion in sectoral programs, and enhance their regional leadership.

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DIANA K. RODRÍGUEZ T. Portfolio Journalist