Technology transfer from a government research institution to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is crucial to ensure the products of research and development (R&D) will gain market acceptance. Technology is useless until it benefits the community in general. However, technology transfer is the most challenging and critical process. Thus, technology developed by government research institutions must be transferred for the benefit of the community in general and in specific, the entrepreneur. This paper shares the experience of MARDI, one of the largest government research institutions in Malaysia, in transferring smart agriculture technology to young entrepreneurs. Smart agriculture refers to the application of ICT technology in producing agricultural products. MARDI developed a small-scale or container-type plant factory called AgroCube to grow high-value vegetables. MARDI transferred the smart agriculture technology through formal training (theoretical and practical) conducted at the MARDI Training Center. More than 500 young agropreneurs participated in the training, and they received a direct knowledge transfer from the researchers. After completing the training, the young agropreneurs can venture into high-value vegetables for the premium market in Malaysia. However, the challenges faced by the young entrepreneurs are related to getting financial assistance and marketing the produce. This financial issue was resolved by introducing soft loans by the Agrobank, and the marketing issue was guided by the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (FAMA).
Keywords: Technology transfer, smart agriculture technology, agropreneur, entrepreneurship
Technology transfer from a government research institution to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is crucial to ensure the products of research and development (R&D) will gain market acceptance. Technology is useless until it benefits the community in general. However, technology transfer is the most challenging and critical process. Thus, technology developed by government research institutions must be transferred for the benefit of the community in general and in specific, the entrepreneur. This paper shares the experience of MARDI, one of the largest government research institutions in Malaysia, in transferring smart agriculture technology to young entrepreneurs. Smart agriculture refers to the application of ICT technology in producing agricultural products. MARDI developed a small-scale or container-type plant factory called AgroCube to grow high-value vegetables. MARDI transferred the smart agriculture technology through formal training (theoretical and practical) conducted at the MARDI Training Center. More than 500 young agropreneurs participated in the training, and they received a direct knowledge transfer from the researchers. After completing the training, the young agropreneurs can venture into high-value vegetables for the premium market in Malaysia. However, the challenges faced by the young entrepreneurs are related to getting financial assistance and marketing the produce. This financial issue was resolved by introducing soft loans by the Agrobank, and the marketing issue was guided by the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (FAMA).
Keywords: Technology transfer, smart agriculture technology, agropreneur, entrepreneurship