Pro-democracy protesters said the dismissed advisers are implicated in corruption cases.

Informed sources said the purge is the largest for the ministry in 30 years. It included advisers from the ministry, the Agricultural Research Center and other projects.

Among the dismissed employees are figures that protesters in Tahrir Square wanted removed from the ministry.

Abul Hadid also appointed new leaders for the Agricultural Development Bank and the animal resources sector.

The decision will save Salah Youssef, the nominee to replace Abul Hadid, from taking the same step, which Youssef described as a stepping stone for a wide scale reshuffle of ministry employees.

Prime Minister Essam Sharaf ordered a reshuffle of his cabinet to placate protesters who began a sit-in at Tahrir Square.