The Benguet State University launched five startup businesses owned by incubatees who were trained by the BSU Agri-based Technology Business Incubator/Innovation Center (ATBI/IC) to become farmer and food processor entrepreneurs.
The launching program was held on Dec. 28 at the ATBI/IC hall and participated in by local business owners and representatives from local government units in Benguet and regional line agencies.
ATBI/IC Director, Dr. Ruth Diego said the activity serves as an avenue to bring together starting entrepreneurs, government representatives and established business owners for partnership and collaboration.
“The ATBI/IC always helps those who want to help themselves become entrepreneurs,” she said.
The launched businesses include two processed food products and three farming technologies.
The processed food products are the strawberry chutney, which was developed to cater to Filipino taste by Ariel Jun Wallang and the kinuday (smoked pork), which was standardized and developed following good manufacturing practices by Zoraya Palsa-an.
The farming technologies include Kitchen Hydroponic System developed by Freddie Awayan, Himitsu Actual Experience System by Belmor Calayon, and the Highland Urban Gardening System by Baltazar Tudayan, Jr.
The Kitchen Hydroponic System allows growing vegetables and strawberries in a container using water and nutrient solution.
The system is a non-circulating hydroponic method and that it does not require electricity use.
The Himitsu Actual Experience System is an elevated and easy to assemble structure which is used for planting strawberries and lettuce while the Highland Urban Gardening System is a three-tier drip-fertigated vertical structure for growing high-value crops such as strawberry.
The developers of the food products and farming technologies are among the 49 incubatees of the BSU ATBI/IC who underwent series of skills and knowledge training through the Center’s Technology Business Incubation Program.
Apart from training, the center also supports the incubatees through shared facilities and connects them to potential investors, market, and buyers.
Owners of the technologies and food products can be reached through the BSU ATBI/IC or the BSU ATBI Alumni Agriculture Cooperative. – Alma Santiago
