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For
2006 and beyond, PCARRD-DOST will be intensifying research and development
(R&D) results utilization or technology transfer and commercialization––a
policy direction fully supported by the Council’s Governing
Council (GC) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).
This
was discussed in length during the members’ joint meeting,
chaired by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary
Estrella F. Alabastro, on Feb. 23 at the Palms Country Club in Alabang,
Metro Manila.
PCARRD
will be using its resources to promote specific technologies or
products that have faster return on investments and can create greater
impacts.
The
Council sees its Techno Gabay Program, bolstered by the K-AgriNet
(Knowledge Networking Towards Enterprising Agricultural Communities)
and the project on enhancing the FITS (Farmers’ Information
and Technology Services) centers for rural development, as the major
techno transfer channel in the countryside.
These
projects are heavily hinged on information and communications technology
(ICT) as well as information, education, and communication (IEC)
strategies.
The
Council also recognizes the crucial roles of the regional R&D
network and the local government units in these ICT and IEC efforts.
Thus, it commits to sustain the good working relations and partnerships
with these organizations.
“We
have good financial support from the government to push ICT-based
technology transfer in the regions,” said Executive Director
Patricio S. Faylon in his presentation of the Council’s plans
and programs.
The
amount is over and above the Council’s regular appropriation
of P134.7 million shared out among its four regular banner programs,
namely, knowledge and technology generation, R&D results utilization,
R&D governance and accountability, and policy research and advocacy.
Meanwhile,
TAC member and GC alternate, Mr. Felizardo K. Virtucio Jr., Agriculture
Staff director of the National Economic and Development Authority,
pointed out that PCARRD should study the risks attendant to technology
adoption.
Virtucio
cited as example, a high adoption rate for a technology provided
by a subcontract arrangement, which minimizes the risks and ensures
the market. He said that farmers are constrained to adopt a technology
not because information is lacking but because of the risks involved.
Techno
transfer bill
On a related matter, the barriers to utilizing research results
are hoped to be overcome by a technology transfer bill to be drafted
within the year by PCARRD, in consultation with relevant national
agencies and other stakeholders.
GC
member Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco of the University of the Philippines
Los Baños spoke of the need for a law to overcome the difficulty
in transferring technologies developed by academic institutions.
At
present, only an estimated 10 percent of university research results
are being transferred into farms and industries because of intellectual
property issues, among other things.
Also
put forward was the need for the Council to dialogue with national
agencies, state universities and colleges, and the private sector
to identify areas for improvement and come up with a workable, complementary
scheme at the policy and ground levels.
DOST-SETUP
and other support
Incidentally, the science department involves various agencies working
together in its well-funded DOST-Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading
Program.
TAC
member Mr. Maurico C. Feliciano, assistant vice president
of the Land Bank of the Philippines Development Assistance Department,
said that technologies must first be validated at farmers’
fields and that credit should be made available to farmers.
“Technology
and credit work together,” Feliciano stressed, saying that
PCARRD’s FITS centers could provide both.
In
attendance
The joint meeting was held to gather inputs from the GC and TAC,
whose members include top officials of the national government and
representatives from the academe and the private sector engaged
in agriculture and related industries, as regards the Council’s
directions for 2006 and beyond.
A majority
of the GC and TAC members, including the PCARRD directorate attended
the event.
Presenting
the Council’s policy directions and operational strategies
were the executive director; the deputy executive director for research
and development, Dr. Danilo C. Cardenas; and the officer-in-charge
of the Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Institution Development
and Resource Management, Mr. Richard M. Juanillo.
Essentially,
PCARRD is guided by the following policy directions: increase the
level of investments in and improve the institutional environment
for S&T; step up advocacy for resource generation and mobilization;
nurture centers of excellence in R&D; institutionalize R&D
results utilization; federate with scientific and professional organizations
in agriculture; and strengthen the monitoring and evaluation system
for research efficiency and effectiveness. (Eileen C. Cardona, S&T
Media Service)
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