PSAU launches technology business incubator for agri sector
MAGALANG -- Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) launched its SIbul Technology Business Incubator (TBI) to aid agriculture-based workers and enterprises boost employment and profit.
PSAU Research and Development Cluster Director Mary Grace Gatan said the project is an important milestone that symbolizes PSAU’s deepening commitment in the pursuit of agribusiness development by responding and adapting to the emerging needs of local agri-fisheries communities in terms of income generation.
“With this launching, we are officially opening our doors to provide services and facilities to farmers, fisherfolks, agripreneurs, technology generators, and investors to develop startups and newly established enterprises to help our clients in hatching their agribusinesses and to assist in taking agribusinesses to the next level. With this, we aim to pave the way for a more competitive agribusinesses in the region by fostering an innovation-driven learning community,” she sai d .
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) Executive Director Reynaldo Ebora said since its inception in 2017, ATBI has been in the forefront of providing valuable infrastructure that hastens commercialization of mature technologies.
Data from the agency shows that the agri-aqua TBI has been able to cater to 302 incubatees, generating P68.7 million income and creating 1,603 jobs.
“Because of this gain, PCAARRD has supported the establishment of the Agri-Aqua Business Incubation Network of the Philippines Inc. in 2021. This will foster the development and sustainability of ATBIs. It has various activities including networking, capability building, policy development, and advocacy to increase entrepreneurial success and build strong communities,” Ebora said.
He added that towards the shift to the new normal, the agency looks at incubators as among the frontliners in the commercialization of agri-aqua incubation with 22 incubations across the country; adding that they are eyeing to intensify technology commercialization initiatives in the regions.
For his part, Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) Director Junel Soriano stressed that despite challenges in the agriculture sector, they saw the importance of investing in agribusiness technology incubation as an effective mechanism and strategy to boost the competitiveness of the sector.
“Underscoring the commercialization of the agriculture and fisheries technologies, with initial activities going back to 2017, BAR thru its TBI has been enabling its partner institutions to transfer and commercialize their technologies. We are strengthening the program towards better serving not only the university researchers but also agri-fishery start up entrepreneurs, processors, farmers and fisherfolks cooperatives and associations in the region and beyond,” he said.
With this, PSAU is inviting incubates to avail of the services of the Sibul TBI. Qualified to become incubates should be Filipino citizens of legal age; preferably farmers, fisherfolks, or agripreneurs; interested to adopt a technology; with initial capital and resources; willing to learn technical expertise and skills needed for adopted technologies; and for agribusiness to include science and technology components in the field of agri-aqua.
Those who are interested to avail the program must submit letter of intent addressed to the PSAU TBI Manager; pre-incubation application form; curriculum vitae; and project idea brief (for technologies under ideation) or research paper/ project brief (out-wall technologies).
For additional queries and concerns, interested applicants may email iptbm@psau.edu.ph or sibul@psau.edu.ph; or call 0917-325-2452.
TBI is one of the schemes of the DOST with the goal of creating jobs, developing entrepreneurs and promoting private-public partnerships through supporting start-up agriculture and aquaculture-based businesses.
These TBIs provide technical, business development and marketing assistance to would-be entrepreneurs with the goal of increased income, job generation, and overall development. (PIA 3)