The Central Mindanao University (CMU), through its Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (ATBI), has made significant strides in increasing the revenues of farmer-entrepreneurs, improving production facilities, and creating employment opportunities in its community. The CMU-ATBI aimed to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem by facilitating the intellectual property (IP) protection and commercialization of agri-aqua technologies through business incubation.
Positive impact on the socioeconomic growth of the incubatees’ businesses was noted as Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) continuously supported the CMU-ATBI operations through the project titled, “DOST-PCAARRD-CMU Agri-aqua Technology Business Incubator Phase 2”, under the leadership of Ms. Sheila C. Poonon.
Based on the data, income of the 27 CMU-ATBI incubatees increased by 164% in 2023 with a recorded revenue of Php 38,084,543.25, compared with the baseline income in 2021.
Moreover, a significant increase in employment within the communities surrounding CMU-ATBI in Maramag, Bukidnon, was also observed. Employment grew by 118.5% in 2023, compared to the 54 employed individuals in 2021.
Through the project, critical infrastructure such as storage and processing facilities were established and made accessible to its incubatees to further enhance their production.
In addition, CMU-ATBI hosted 166 students from various schools exposing them to the entrepreneurial aspect of the agriculture sector, which also created economic activities for the community.
CMU-ATBI also played a vital role in helping incubatees in securing IP protection relevant to their enterprises. Ten businesses filed for trademark branding and six for copyright protection.
Among its incubatees include Mushroom City Company, Buhi Producers Cooperative, and Kape Lumad, which the ATBI also assists in preparing business plans and proposals for possible funding sources. The majority of these incubatees operate as sole proprietors, while others are cooperatives.
During its initial phase, CMU-ATBI promoted various technologies generated by farmer-entrepreneurs, helping bridge the gap between innovative research and successful market deployment.
With the remarkable accomplishments of the phase-2 project implementation, the strengthening and acceleration phase of CMU-ATBI was approved under the project titled, “Regional ATBI in Northern Mindanao through the RAISE Program.” This marks the transition of their operations from an institutional to a regional focus, providing services to aspiring agripreneurs in Northern Mindanao.
The project, “DOST-PCAARRD-CMU Agri-aqua Technology Business Incubator Phase 2,” is an entry for the Best Development Paper and was presented during the National Symposium on Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) held on October 2, 2024. Winners of the award will be conferred during the DOST-PCAARRD’s 2024 S&T Awards and Recognition ceremony in November 2024.
NSAARRD, annually spearheaded by DOST-PCAARRD, recognizes outstanding R&D contributions in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sector in the country.