Business Potential for Agricultural Biotechnology - Asian Productivity ...

Business Potential for Agricultural Biotechnology Products
research laboratories and later adopted by the private sector. The technology has since been refined
and further developed. Micropropagation is most widely used in the Thai cut flower industry,
used for the commercialization of many cut flowers: orchids, gerberas, carnations, chrysanthemums,
anthuriums, cucumas, red ginger, torch ginger, lilies, and calla lilies. Several varieties
are results of somaclonal variation during micropropagation.
CONCLUSION
It is clear that development of agricultural biotechnology products is still in the initial phase
and that strategic improvement is needed. The major issues, such as the weak link between the
private and public sectors, lack of a proactive plan for upgrading local technical capability, and
high levels of technology transfer, urgently require solutions. The ratio of R&D to GDP is still
low compared with other countries, such as Singapore, Japan, and the U.S. The percentage of
private R&D is also low, indicating a low level of R&D for commercial purposes. The Thai government
has developed five main strategies in its S&T action plan: enhancing the competitiveness
of the private sector, reforming the educational system to create human resources, employing
performance-based management, adjusting R&D funding systems, and expanding ICT facilities.
The Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Act was implemented in 1999 to protect new as well as
indigenous and traditional plant varieties.
There are several good signs for the future, including the establishment of new companies
using local technologies and agricultural biotechnology projects initiated by the private sector.
Multinational companies are expanding their presence and continuity. Nevertheless, it is clear
that Thailand’s enormous potential is not being fully realized. Several issues urgently need solutions
and/or good management, such as communication with the public for better understanding
of agricultural biotechnology, particularly on GMO issues, and communication with nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs).
For research organizations, with their important role in agriculture biotechnology development,
there are issues of research priorities, acquiring technology as well as producing their own
technology, providing technical support where and when needed, and working closely with the
private sector. They also need to expand their sources of funding to include regional and international
organizations. In the private sector, more effort in both information-sharing and financial
support is required to drive business development.
As for government, there are several issues at both policy and technical levels awaiting
solutions, including providing a quality workforce for the business establishment, providing
career paths for those who graduate in agriculture/biotechnology, recognizing the needs of private
companies to protect their intellectual property, and assessing priorities. Successful publicprivate
partnership will rely on defining goals, identifying mutual assets, segmenting the markets
for each partner, and recognizing and accepting the differences in values and goals.
REFERENCES
Biosafety guidelines for work related to modern biotechnology or genetic engineering. November
2004.
Byerlee D., Fischer K. Accessing modern science: policy and institutional options for agricultural
biotechnology in developing countries. IP Strategy Today 2001; 1.
Damrongchai N. Agricultural biotechnology in Thailand. In: Kumar N., ed. Asian Biotechnology
Development Review. 2002. 23–38.
Lauridsen L.S. Coping with the triple challenges of globalization, liberalization and crisis: the
role of industrial technology policies and technology institutions in Thailand. The European
Journal of Development Research 2002; 4: 101–125.
National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) Annual Report.2004.
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