President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is pushing stronger partnerships between government scientists and private manufacturers to turn publicly developed research into mass-produced food technologies that can improve nutrition and strengthen food security.
Marcos made the call Thursday after inspecting the operations of Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corp. (NFMC) in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, where he witnessed the commercialization of food technologies developed by the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) with support from the DOST Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).
“The government is the one doing the R&D. Pati na ‘yung scaling para ‘yung nagawa sa laboratoryo ay puwede nang gawin in mass manufacturing (Also the scaling up of the process so those created in laboratories will be ready for mass manufacturing),” he told reporters after the inspection.
The challenge, he said, is not only developing technologies in government laboratories but also bringing them to the production stage, where they can be manufactured at scale and reach more Filipinos.
Through SETUP, the DOST provides enterprises with technology and equipment support to improve productivity and production capabilities.
Nutridense has used the assistance, together with DOST-FNRI technologies, to expand its manufacturing operations.
Marcos said the government also helps enterprises acquire machinery needed to increase production, allowing research-based food products to move beyond laboratory development and into programs serving communities.
The products manufactured by Nutridense include nutrient-enriched food supplied to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and schools, including products formulated for children and pregnant women.
The President cited Nutridense’s growth as an example of the potential impact of linking government research with private-sector manufacturing.
The company has increased its annual production from about two million in 2013 to 10 million, while its workforce has grown from seven employees to more than 300.
Marcos said the model goes beyond producing food, as the company also sources raw materials directly from local farmers.
“Hindi lang isang factory, hindi lang isang laboratory, kung hindi isang buong sistema ang ating binubuo para patuloy ang maganda ang magiging production at sa ganung paraan ay natutulungan nga natin ang ating mga kabataan na kumain ng tama at masustansya na pagkain (We are building not just a factory or a laboratory, but an entire system to ensure consistent, high-quality production. In doing so, we help our children consume proper, nutritious food),” he said.
Marcos said the government intends to replicate similar partnerships in other parts of the country to increase production and expand access to nutritious food.
“So, this is the kind of operation that we will continue to do, hindi lamang dito naman sa Pangasinan (not just here in Pangasinan),” he said. (PNA)
