DOST-I’s Tekno Presyensya highlights Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator
The Department of Science and Technology Region I (DOST-I), in collaboration with DZAG Radyo Pilipinas Agoo, featured the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development’s (PCAARRD) Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (ATBI) in its tenth episode of Tekno PreSyensya 2022: Syensya ken Teknolohiya para kadagiti Umili, on 7 April 2022 via Zoom and aired in the DOST-I Facebook page.
The episode was attended by DOST-I Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Racquel M. Espiritu, DOST-PCAARRD Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD) Senior Science Research Specialist Abigail Flores Gueco, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) ATBI Project Staff Anabella G. Valdez, and Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) ATBI Project Leader Ethel Reynda M. Calivoso.
ARD Espiritu started with the agency's accomplishments for the previous week. She highlighted the successes of DOST-I’s various initiatives across the areas of Kabuhayan, Kaayusan and Kinabukasan.
On the other hand, Gueco discussed the details and objectives of ATBI and its partner State Universities and Colleges in the region. She listed the different benefits of being an incubatee such as technology management, business development, marketing, networking, administrative support and access to facilities and equipment support and enumerated the fields where they can be of help.
DOST-PCAARRD’s ATBI program aims to effectively support the use and commercialization of mature technologies in the Agri-Aqua Natural Resources sector by establishing and developing viable agribusinesses through incubation and acceleration. ATBI offers support in the different technology groups, namely: crops, livestock, aquaculture, postharvest handling, food processing, agricultural machinery, farm inputs (feeds, biofertilizers, biopesticides), disease diagnostics, wood and non-wood forest products.
Moreover, Calivoso presented the MMSU-ATBI program and their endeavors towards assisting the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in their province. She cited the Kamangeg cheesecake and other meat and food products as some of their assisted incubatees in Ilocos Norte that are successful.
Meanwhile, Prof. Valdez showcased DMMMSU’s ATBI program bannered with "Sa DMMMSU ATBI, lalago ang Negosyo at Hanapbuhay". She shared how they helped MSMEs in improving their products such as Chevon, bottled bangus, and seaweed chips, among others, and further explained how they can be of help to the other MSMEs in La Union.
The guests encouraged the start-ups, and those who have already established their businesses to seek support and collaboration with MMSU and DMMMSU or any other partner SUCs in developing and improving their products using the different technologies offered by DOST-PCAARRD. (30) (By: Carla Joyce B. Cajala, DOST-I)
