The PSU DOST 1 Food Innovation Center recently conducted pilot testing and market testing of FIC innovative products – classic calamay, binagoongang bangus and vacuum packed tupig.
With the establishment of the Technology Business Incubator (TBI) at the Pangasinan State University, the PSU-DOST1 Food Innovation Center prepares the technology commercialization plans for the selected FIC developed technologies that have proven marketability and possible technology adaption to food industry.
The Research and Development phase have been completed and to finally introduce the products for commercialization, pilot and market testing was conducted to determine the feasibility of the developed products to attract investors or potential adaptors.
Pilot production includes the initial costing of raw materials, including variable costs to determine the profitable quantity for a small scale start-up industry. This is an essential step for financial feasibility. Once the product is financially feasible based on the pilot production, the products undergo initial market testing that involves market segmentation such as age, economic segment and location to 5 different municipalities of Pangasinan and neraby town such as Bayambang, San Carlos City, Basista, Bautista, Alcala and Camiling, Tarlac.
The market testing was successfully conducted thru the participation of 2nd year BSBA students of PSU-Bayambang Campus as part of their Advertising and Sales Promotion subject with Dr. Roseanne Jane C. Agustin-Cera as their subject instructor. The students were provided snacks for the conduct of the market survey and reimbursement of transportation incurred.
The said activities were part of the research project entitled “Pilot and Market Testing of FIC Innovative Products towards Technology Commercialization and Business Incubation.” The research project was funded by the Department of Science and Technology- Regional Office 1. The main proponents are Dr. Wilma M. De Vera, FIC head; Ms. Veronica C. Austria; Ms. Meryl A. Bernardino, Research Fellow and project lead; and Ms. Monica May B. Varilla, Project Technical Assistant Aide 1. The interpretation of data will be done with the help of Mr. Jerome Rosario, faculty researcher of PSU-Bayambang Campus.
Research and development is an integral function of the Food Innovation Center to ensure that the center had to live up with its mission of offering profitable technologies to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) while keeping high quality and safety of the products being developed.
