The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) said over 90 technologies have already been incubated in 10 regions in the country.
Citing its Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubation (ATBI) Scorecard, the DOST-PCAARRD said in the 16 ATBIs that were established in the country, a total of 92 technologies were incubated.
It reported that its ATBI Program has so far supported 263 businesses, generating a total of 1,603 jobs.
Launched in 2017, the ATBI Program is one of the Council’s big-ticket programs under its Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC).
The Council said the incubatees’ startup companies generated P68.7 million in revenues, while the ATBIs generated P11.7 million in revenues.
To sustain the momentum of its program and support more incubatees, the DOST-PCAARRD launched an information campaign, which is anchored on the theme, “Tech it to the Next Level.”
The campaign seeks “to promote technology business incubation as a relevant approach in generating jobs, capacitating agri-preneurs, and initiating strategic partnerships,” PCAARRD said.
Noel A. Catibog, director of the Council’s Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD), said the “Tech it to the Next Level” campaign has four goals: to accelerate agribusiness practices, trade innovations amidst uncertainties, synergize business and technology, and achieve inclusive economic growth.
The ATBIs provide training and mentorship on technology management, agri-business development, marketing, networking, administrative support, and access to facilities and equipment.
The PCAARRD said innovative strategies are implemented to curb the uncertainties in the agricultural trading system under the new normal.
"In order to synergize business and technology, ATBIs continue to assess the business idea and match it with technologies that will fit the business model of the agri-business enterprise that an incubatee may want to establish or enhance. The technologies that the ATBI support are products of research, backed up by science and intended to address the agricultural needs of the nation to create the business and technology synergy,” it said.
Catibog said to achieve inclusive economic growth, ATBI hopes to create more agri-business opportunities and fairly distribute economic growth across society.
Moreover, it will continue to promote public-private partnerships for inclusive economic growth, he said.