Israel India | Business Guide | 2017

‏ Commercial Products > ‏ Agriculture > 0 41 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 | F ax: (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