BAR's NTCP leads in tech transfer innovations

Marlowe U. Aquino, PhD

Since the inception of the National Technology Commercialization Program (NTCP) of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) in 2005, the program has made its distinguished mark in supporting research outputs with maximum use to agriculture and fishery communities.

An endeavor that is closely supported by Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur C. Yap, the NTCP has helped key players and stakeholders in the agriculture and fishery sector become more systematic, organized, innovative, and dynamic in their tasks and better prepared for the introduction and eventual utilization of new technologies and other significant R&D outputs.

In a BAR documentation report, it was found that among the technology commercialization (TechCom) projects that created impact improving the lives of intended beneficiaries are: 1) Benguet State University's TechCom project on Strawberry and Community-based Potato Production Management; 2) Philippine Carabao Center's Biotechnology R&D on In-vitro Fertilization of Buffalos and Commercialization of Dairy-based products, 3) Philippine Coconut Authority's Coco Sugar, and 4) Tripartite Farm Mechanization Projects of the Philippine Rice Research Institute, Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension, and Fiber Industry Development Authority on improving locally developed machines and their use by rice farmers, fiber traders, and postharvest handling facilities.

Projects funded under NTCP cut across agricultural crops, fisheries, and livestock sectors that were carefully chosen in an effort to maximize the research outputs of scientists and researchers by bringing total packages of technologies to farming and rural communities.

To date, BAR has funded 82 NTCP projects supporting more than 20 agencies and organizations involved in TechCom activities. More people and communities are served with timely and appropriate technologies to increase their production and profit.

Given the need for more TechCom initiatives, BAR has developed a new commercialization proposal which was approved for funding and implementation. Granted with financial support develop to uplift the conditions of people and local communities, BAR focuses its initiatives to intensify and systematize technologies for commercialization. Projects must focus on technologies that are globally competitive and promotes sustainable agriculture.

NTCP projects were supported through a grant funds received from the Government of Japan (GOJ) for projects under the 2KR-Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Framers (GAUF). The grant which is managed by the National Fishery and Agriculture Council (NAFC) was awarded to BAR through the project, "Technology Management for Competitive Agriculture and Fisheries Sector".

BAR's continuous support to TechCom projects aims to make use of technologies that raise the competitiveness of local enterprises in global market.

On the verge of today's economic development condition, BAR's partnership with other agencies in R&D, can make the agriculture and fishery sector more responsive and dynamic.