More than 50 officers and researchers from 10 state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the country recently participated in a training workshop. Spearheaded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), the workshop aimed to help the Council’s regional partners to pursue their technology business incubators (TBIs).
The learning event, titled, Training cum Writeshop on the Establishment of Agribusiness Technology Business Incubators, was held on March 14-16, 2017 at the DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC) in Los Baños, Laguna.
The DOST defines TBI as a facility, which hosts start-ups and provides business development services.
DOST-PCAARRD believes that helping SUCs establish or enhance their respective agribusiness TBIs can create jobs, develop entrepreneurs, and promote public-private partnerships for regional economic development.
“PCAARRD has always believed that strategic research and development activities facilitate growth and development of the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources sector of the country, especially if their outputs are effectively passed on to their intended users,” said Dr. Juanito T. Batalon, Director of PCAARRD’s Institution Development Division during the rationale setting and opening program of the training-writeshop.
“Thus, the Council, with the strong support of our mother agency, the Department of Science and Technology, is continuously improving its technology promotion and transfer programs to enhance client service and reach,” Batalon added.
A number of TBIs have already been established in the country, some of which are based in SUCs. Three SUCs, namely, Benguet State University, University of the Philippines Visayas, and Visayas State University have in fact shared insights on how they implement their respective business incubation programs during the workshop.
Facilitated by the Council’s Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD), PCAARRD, the training, aside from the sharing of firsthand experiences, also presented the important concepts related to various modes of technology transfer, specifically on commercialization through the establishment of agribusiness TBIs.
Through the workshop, the participants learned to draft viable technology transfer proposals for possible funding support of DOST-PCAARRD.
Meanwhile, PCAARRD Acting Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora reminded the participants that proposals for agribusiness TBIs should give emphasis on mature technologies.
Ebora also highlighted that aside from the ability of the facilities and equipment of the TBIs to attract incubatees, their sustainability should also be prioritized.