Government allots P500 million for technology transfer program

LOS BANOS, Laguna , Philippines  — The government has poured in P500 million since 2006 on a technology transfer program that is already benefiting millions of people in the countryside.

President Arroyo herself has been taking the lead to ensure the success of the Techno Gabay Program (TGP), crafted and being implemented by the Los Baños-based Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD).

TGP is PCARRD’s banner program to bring science-based information and technology services to end-users in the agriculture, forestry and natural resources (AFNR) sectors.

It is a neworking of R&D institutions in the AFNR sectors; regional R&D consortia and other members of the PCARRD-coordinated national R&D network, among them state colleges and universities (SCUs); local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), the private sector and extension service producers, thereby enhancing technology adoption, utilization and commercialization.

Recently, the President again issued Executive Order 801, which encourages LGUs to adopt IGP in their agricultural extension programs.

She ordered the DOST, Departments of Interior and Local Government and Agriculture, Commission on Higher Education and other concerned agencies to provide necessary assistance.

Launched a decade ago, TGP has evolved into a four-component program, namely: farmers’ information technology service (FITS); farmer-scientist bureau or magsasaka-siyentista (MS); information, education and communication (IEC) strategies; and information and communication tech (ICT).

FITS is a one-stop information shop that serves farmers, extension workers, entrepreneurs, people in the academe and other clients in a given area. It provides information in print, video tapes, exhibits and other formats; IEC materials; access to the Internet; and sale of information materials.

Technology services offered include linking with sources of planting materials, animal stocks and agricultural input; training, clinic, linking clients to experts and financial institutions; and technical assistance.

As of June this year, 506 FITS had been established across the country.

These centers are hosted by LGUs (85 percent), SCUs, DOST Provincial S&T Centers (PSTC), DA, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); and supported by the 14 PCARRD-coordinated regional consortia, 131 SCUs and other institutions, and more than 440 MS.

FITS have been of great help to the AFNR sectors.

For instance, farmers in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte used to harvest only 3.9 tons per hectare of rice. With FITS’ intervention, production increased to 5.1 tons per hectare.

In Alfonso Lista, Ifugao, corn farn farmers used to reap only 3.7 t/ha. With FITS, production increased to 5.7 t/ha.

Annually, about half a million clients nationwide are served by the FITS.

TGP’s newest component is the science and technology-based farm (STBF), owned by an MS that showcases successful applications of S&T interventions in increasing farm productivity and profitability.

There are now 361 STBF projects at various stages of implementation. An estimated 100 farmers are benefited per STBF project.

A MS also serves as resource person during FITS training and seminars; and provides advisory services to co-farmers, LGUs, cooperatives and farmers-organizations.

IEC involves research-and need-based communication processes that hasten adoption of technologies by FITS and MS clients. ICT facilitates information storage, retrieval and exchange.