Agriculture is one of the backbones of the Philippine economy and the driver of growth, particularly in the regions. To support agricultural enterprises, the Technology Application and Promotion Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-TAPI) focused its attention on helping particularly the students with entrepreneurial intentions in agriculture through the innovative program called DATBED.

DATBED stands for the DOST-Academe Technology-Based Enterprise Development (DATBED) Program implemented by DOST-TAPI that provides assistance to students who have completed their projects that were assessed to have big market potential.

The DATBED program aims to develop the entrepreneurial competencies of students by supporting income-generating projects that are not yet tested in the market but are seen to have high market potential and possess technical viability when commercialized.

“Through this program, we hope to shape the future entrepreneurs with their technology-based enterprises,” said Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena, Officer-in-Charge of DOST-TAPI.

The program is composed of two stages. Stage I supports income-generating projects that are not yet tested in the market while Stage II provides continued assistance to DATBED Stage I graduate beneficiaries for the commercialization of their Stage I projects.

To date, there are already 11 completed student projects benefitting from the program. These beneficiaries have successfully implemented their ‘startups’ that promote sustainable farming, improved agricultural productivity, and resourceful agricultural innovations.

Specifically, the projects presented agricultural solutions on manufacturing organic fertilizers, producing mushrooms, processing cacao to high-value products, and reinventing indigenous agricultural materials.

“We have provided comprehensive support requirements to the students in materializing their projects through a form of financial assistance,” said Mylene A. Alano, DATBED program manager.

These agricultural enterprises, mostly from the Cagayan Valley Region, are as follows:

1. Organic Fertilizer Manufacture and Marketing
2. Organic Banana Fruit Production
3. Production of Organic Vegetables using Vermicompost and Citronella in Coconut and Cacao Livestock Integrated Farming System
4. Mushroom Production
5. Coconut Flour and Virgin Coconut Oil Production
6. Feedlot Cattle Production and Marketing
7. Processing of Cacao into Tablea, Cocoa Nibs
8. Coconut Livestock Integrated Production
9. Production of Multi-Purpose Indigenous Electronic LED Lampshade
10. Technopreneurship through Production and Nursery Management of Disease-Free Banana Seedlings
11. Manufacturing of Togue (Vigna radiate) Fresh Pancit

Please contact 8837 2071 local 2157 or email info@tapi.dost.gov.ph for inquiries.