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The Agricultural Research Organization (ARO)’s R&D have
resulted in scientific achievements with potential applications.
KIDUM is the Technology Transfer Organization (TTO)
of the A.R.O. that is responsible for IP registration and
commercialization of research applications in agriculture
and the establishment of partnerships, joint ventures and
other business enterprises. KIDUM provides the link between
research, investment, commerce and industry on behalf of
the Government.
Breeding programs:
Among its various research activities,
the ARO leads breeding programs of crops like wheat,
potato, melon, squash, tomato, olive, strawberry, avocado,
sweet sorghum, litchi, papaya, mango, guava, almond, fig,
chickpea, grapes, citrus fruit, stone fruits and passion fruit,
flowers and herbs. A.R.O. holds IP rights on different varieties
that were bred and for which Plant Breeder's Rights were
registered in Israel.
Connect with KIDUM:
Phone: (972) 3 9683298/289 | E-mail:
kidum @ agri.gov.il | Fax: (972) 3 9604835
Address: HaMaccabimRoad 68, P.O.B. 15159, Rishon le Zion, Israel 7505101
KIDUM: A link between research,
investment, commerce and industry
T
he agricultural world has been influenced by several trends
over the past few decades: increased production volume in
the 70s, shelf-life extension in the 80s, organoleptic
optimization in the 90s and the‘green’movement around the new
millennium.What trends will the next decade bring? researchers
around the world are trying to anticipate this question.
In Israel, TheVolcani Institute of the Agricultural ResearchOrganization
(ARO) employs various multidisciplinary research teams, totaling
about 1,000 people,all of whom are engaged in applied research
for the improvement of fields,orchards and vineyards.The Kidum
Department of the ARO mediates this transfer of knowledge to
and from the commercial partners.
How can a problem become a solution?
Identifying needs:
The researchers of ARO begin their work either
by identifying a need that will drive their research,or by partnering
with a company willing to engage in research cooperation in order
tomeet its needs,be it the development of a new product or a new
engineering system. The researchers will either work independently
or form a group of researchers from complementary fields,in order
to collaborate towards new developments and solutions.
Financing and identifying the target consumer:
A company
with interest in commercializing agricultural know-how and research
plays a key role in orienting research. By sharing information with
the researchers,such as key markets,needs and habits of the farmers,
target consumers etc, the final product is optimized from both
the laboratory and the commercial partner.
Expanding the range of products and keeping themup-to-
date:
Collaboration between the researchers and the company
does not end after the launch of the product. The researchers
continue to assist with product development or developing future
generations. This helps the companies to expand their product
portfolios and maintain the highest quality, while protecting
copyrights or trade secrets.
How can ideas be commercialized?
Collaboration between research institutions,companies and farmers,
often leads to excellent product development, such as quality fruit
varieties, advanced solutions for plant protection, machines and
techniques for the food industry and advanced surveillance and
agricultural systems. Natural disasters and crises raise challenges
that spur innovation. These innovative developments can in turn
serve farmers, counteract the phenomena, and save threatened
agricultural sectors, all of which ultimately benefit consumers.
Cooperation with foreign research institutions and recruitment of
international students,together with local and international commercial
partnerships, foster powerful synergies, expose global needs and
enable the world's population to enjoy a secure nutritional future.
The author is Business Development Manager at "Kidum" R&D Applications
The commercialization of new agricultural
products requires identifying needs and
target consumers, locating potential
partners and creating dynamic partnerships
with savvy and resourceful companies
Shemer Topper
From Agricultural Need to
Commercial Product