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BY JULIO P. YAP JR.
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Wednesday, October 4, 2017
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TECHNOLOGY generated through government funding should work for the best advantage of their targeted beneficiaries, provide the owner with the right incentive, and contribute to the country’s economic well-being.
This in essence was the objective of the Technology Business Forum conducted by the Central Luzon Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLAARRDEC).
The Technology Business Forum was among other important activities, which highlighted the consortium’s First Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA).
It serves as a strategy to facilitate the flow of agricultural and aquatic food products from the farm to the market.
Bolstered by its 22 member implementing agencies and eight coordinating member agencies, CLAARRRDEC showcases the region’s leading commodities like rice, onion, garlic, livestock, mango, and other products, as well as tested production and management technologies.
Joining the FIESTA bandwagon, the CLAARRDEC recently conducts its first FIESTA at the multi-purpose gym of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in the Science City of Munoz in Nueva Ecija.
The forum also enhances the flow of technology generated from government laboratories to the farmers as primary beneficiaries of research and development initiatives.
For technologies with commercial potential, FIESTA also connects the technology generator with potential investors who are willing to commercialize the technology.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCAARRD-DOST), together with other agencies, supported the conduct of the event.
The CLAARRDEC FIESTA aims to contribute to the country’s agricultural development, the region being the seat of most research agencies and the premiere state colleges and universities.
CLAARRDEC prides itself to be the provider of food for Metro Manila since the region is the source of its rice, meat, eggs, and other agri-aqua products.
Dr. Melvin B. Carlos, officer-in-charge of Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Resource Management and Support Services of PCAARRDD, explained some of the important features of the Technology Transfer Act of 2009 and its relation to the forum.
The said law, among other provisions, makes research and development (R&D) institutions the owner of intellectual property rights (IPR) arising from the results of government-funded research.
This allows scientists to create, manage, or serve as consultants to companies that can commercially exploit technology arising from government-funded research.
A strong technology dissemination strategy is necessary in winning technology adoption.
Based on this aspect, farmers, employees of the Philippine Rice Research (PhilRice) Institute, and students of the CLSU showed exactly how it is done in a striking theatrical performance.
Dubbed Informance (coined from the words information and performance), and conceptualized by PhilRice, the said technology dissemination strategy is used in the promotion of hybrid rice to help the farmers to be more competitive.
Dr. Diadem Gonzales-Esmero, Rice Science Museum curator, said that they had to conduct focused group discussions with the farmers to be able to know their experiences.
Based on this, they conceptualized the story on hybrid rice. The farmers even joined in the acting workshop. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
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