UPLB Sparks Debate on Public Access After Granting Exclusive Bio-N License to Agri-Specialist Inc.
Margust Dela Cerna | August 19, 2024
In March 2024, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Chancellor Jose Camacho Jr. signed an exclusive licensing agreement with agribusiness firm Agri-Specialist Inc. (ASI), granting the company nationwide rights to produce, market, and sell the biofertilizer trademarked as “Bio-N.” This decision has sparked debates over its implications for public access and farmer support.
Bio-N, developed in 1985 by Dr. Mercedes Garcia of UPLB-BIOTECH, is a biofertilizer derived from bacteria in talahib grass roots. It allows rice, corn, and vegetable crops to harness atmospheric nitrogen, reducing dependence on costly synthetic fertilizers. The technology, funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), has been instrumental in boosting yields and cutting costs for Filipino farmers.
However, ASI, a newcomer in the biofertilizer industry, has reportedly warned farmers, cooperatives, and government agencies to cease producing or using Bio-N without its permission. Critics, including the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), argue that ASI lacks a product registration certificate from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) and that this exclusivity jeopardizes Bio-N’s availability, disrupting supply chains and harming thousands of farmers.
The DA allocated ₱1.9 billion in 2024 for biofertilizers, including Bio-N, as part of President Marcos’ efforts to reduce reliance on imported fertilizers. Yet, reports suggest that Bio-N production in many areas has dwindled or halted, raising concerns about meeting the growing demand for sustainable farming inputs.
In response to criticism, Chancellor Camacho stated that the agreement underwent rigorous scrutiny by the DOST’s Fairness Opinion Board and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) to ensure compliance with the Philippine Technology Transfer Act of 2009. He emphasized that the deal aims to address long-standing production issues, with only 20% of DA’s 83 Bio-N mixing plants operational as of 2022.
Camacho added that the licensing agreement allows UPLB to inspect ASI’s facilities regularly to maintain product quality. Royalties and payments from the deal will be reinvested in research and development to advance agricultural innovations.
While the agreement grants exclusivity to ASI, the company has pledged to collaborate with existing mixing plants and stakeholders to expand access while upholding quality standards.
Critics, including FFF Chair Raul Montemayor, question how a publicly funded technology like Bio-N became the exclusive property of ASI. They argue that national and local governments that contributed to its development should have a say in its distribution and benefit from royalties.
Camacho urged concerned groups to engage in dialogue with UPLB to better understand the rationale behind the agreement. He assured the public that the university remains committed to supporting Filipino farmers and advancing the nation’s food security through innovation and collaboration.
As debates continue, the future of Bio-N’s distribution and its impact on Filipino farmers remains a critical issue.
Bio-N, developed in 1985 by Dr. Mercedes Garcia of UPLB-BIOTECH, is a biofertilizer derived from bacteria in talahib grass roots. It allows rice, corn, and vegetable crops to harness atmospheric nitrogen, reducing dependence on costly synthetic fertilizers. The technology, funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), has been instrumental in boosting yields and cutting costs for Filipino farmers.
However, ASI, a newcomer in the biofertilizer industry, has reportedly warned farmers, cooperatives, and government agencies to cease producing or using Bio-N without its permission. Critics, including the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), argue that ASI lacks a product registration certificate from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) and that this exclusivity jeopardizes Bio-N’s availability, disrupting supply chains and harming thousands of farmers.
The DA allocated ₱1.9 billion in 2024 for biofertilizers, including Bio-N, as part of President Marcos’ efforts to reduce reliance on imported fertilizers. Yet, reports suggest that Bio-N production in many areas has dwindled or halted, raising concerns about meeting the growing demand for sustainable farming inputs.
In response to criticism, Chancellor Camacho stated that the agreement underwent rigorous scrutiny by the DOST’s Fairness Opinion Board and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) to ensure compliance with the Philippine Technology Transfer Act of 2009. He emphasized that the deal aims to address long-standing production issues, with only 20% of DA’s 83 Bio-N mixing plants operational as of 2022.
Camacho added that the licensing agreement allows UPLB to inspect ASI’s facilities regularly to maintain product quality. Royalties and payments from the deal will be reinvested in research and development to advance agricultural innovations.
While the agreement grants exclusivity to ASI, the company has pledged to collaborate with existing mixing plants and stakeholders to expand access while upholding quality standards.
Critics, including FFF Chair Raul Montemayor, question how a publicly funded technology like Bio-N became the exclusive property of ASI. They argue that national and local governments that contributed to its development should have a say in its distribution and benefit from royalties.
Camacho urged concerned groups to engage in dialogue with UPLB to better understand the rationale behind the agreement. He assured the public that the university remains committed to supporting Filipino farmers and advancing the nation’s food security through innovation and collaboration.
As debates continue, the future of Bio-N’s distribution and its impact on Filipino farmers remains a critical issue.
