Audit of technological innovations generated from public agricultural research

Public sector R and D is the 'technology and innovation factory' in the country's agricultural sector. The Department of Agriculture, for instance, is overflowing with alternative techniques for producing, processing, and marketing agricultural products and technologies. Many of these techniques, however, have not taken off commercially as they have not been transformed into marketable products. This study assessed the factors of success and failure of four locally developed technology innovations by three DA R and D institutions. The strengths and/or weaknesses of these products were audited using technical feasibility, marketability, and intellectual property rights (IPR) potentials as measures. Information on the products were obtained through interviews of key persons involved in their development. Prior art search using international and Philippine databases was likewise done for the IPR analysis. Interviews, disucssions, and observations were assessed qualitatively. Analysis of findings was grounded on relevant literature and studies. Results suggests that most of the products audited were considered mature technologies. But the absence of further innovation on the vaccine of the Bureau of Animal Industry(BAI), the biocon agents of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the makapuno of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and their availability in the public domain disqualify these products as registrable IP. On the other hand, the virgin coconut oil (VCO) of PCA has been registered asIP. PCA's makapuno and VCO attest to the benefits of public and private sector partnership, and the promotion of entrepreneurship within an institution. Conversely, the restraints on the mandates and missions of BAI and BPI toward R and D commercialization, and the lack of protection for their products are some of the perceived factors for failure of commercialization. Overall, the innovation and commercialization scheme of PCA for the VCO could be a good model for public insitutions to succeed in developing a commercializable R and D product.