Technology Transfer and Commercialization – Innovative model for Strengthening Research and Industry Linkages and Valuation through Public Private Partnership in Agriculture

Abstract

Innovative technical knowledge, often packaged as ‘improved technology’ is imperative for agricultural crop productivity enhancement. The effort of technology development is complete, only when it is adopted by the end user, as a product suitable for commercial application. It is thus imperative that the university /research organizations understand the needs of the industry or work in close collaboration with the industry. With a view to enhance University /research-Industry linkages, augmenting ‘market driven research’ and assign  ‘value ‘ to innovative research, universities world over have initiated Technology Transfer &  Commercialization efforts.  Public sector lead university/ research organizations are repositories of rich crop germplasm that could offer unique solutions or provide a platform for modern improved technologies with effective pest and disease resistance traits. Use of such germplasm for developing varieties/hybrids with disease or pest resistance both by public and private sector research efforts is the order of the day. However, these could just be simple exchanges; or simple licensing between public and private sector units involving arbitrarily assigned value and not active partnership. A collaboration that not only enhances the value of the material in use, but also brings forth multitude of benefits across the society is the one that needs to be promulgated in emerging economies, especially while utilizing genetic resources. This paper presents three models of PPP involving unique approaches of valuing improved genetic material and also promoted effective public private partnerships by Brazil, Chile and USA for emulation by other emerging economies.