research report of the Technology transfer and Network Strengthment in the Bean improvement project of the BID/FONACIT-II program, Venezuela, 2004-2008

1. Knowledge management and
transfer of technology in the
application of biotechnology tools
for genetic improvement of beans
(Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
Alfredo Romero S., Ma. Elena Morros y Delis Pérez
Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrícolas,
Venezuela
Paper presented in the 11th International Conference on Agricultural
Biotechnologies
International Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology Research (ICABR)
Catholic University of Leuven, CEIS - University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rutgers University,
Economic Growth Center, Yale University.
Ravello, Scala ( Italy ) July 26 – 29, 2007

2. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
• In January 2005 the execution of the project:
Application of biotechnological tools for the
genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus
sp) for higher production and grain quality,
was initiated in the framework of the
BID/FONACIT II Biotechnology program in
Venezuela.
• The objectives were to promote knowledge
sharing among farmers and researchers, to develop
technologies required by small farmers sector, and
strengthening of innovative methodologies for
transferring of biotechnological inputs.

3. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
 A series of strategies and activities were
planned and executed, using:
1. Knowledge Management
2.and participant innovation action-
research,
3.Components:
1.networking,
2.R&D,
3.technology transfer and
4.strengthening of scientific and
technological capacities (institutional
aimed at creating an effective information and knowledge
and human)
flow between farmers, technicians and researchers.

4. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
Objectives
• To validate and strengthen instruments, resources
and capacities in the establishment of
communication flows among researchers of different
institutions and other relevant actors (farmers,
technicians, development officials and members of local
communities) in order to stimulate their active
participation in the development of technologies.
• Inducing and creating awareness and consciousness
among different actors about the importance of
information and knowledge sharing for transfer and
diffusion of improved biotechnologies, and the creation
of sustained communication networks in time and
space.

5. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
Knowledge management and technology transfer
strategies aimed to integrate and synergize several
professional disciplines with the purpose of improving the
efficiency and competency of technological development
services offered by institutions, enterprises and ONGs to
their stakeholders
Sharing and exchanging of ideas, perceptions, problems
and possible solutions among participant actors
(researchers, technicians, change agents and final users) in
the planning and execution of concerted development
actions and processes.

6. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
• Participatory research and development has emerged as
an institutional innovation during the last 20 years in many
national agricultural research systems in Latin America, Asia
and Africa
• Public institutional R&D projects using participatory
methods now provide technical solutions amenable to
be adapted and adopted by local groups, help in the
improvement of production, reducing risks and costs
and increasing profits, since they become aware and value
first hand innovations and their advantages
• In Venezuela there have been encouraging experiences in
the implementation of this approach in specific rural
settings such as the highlands of Lara State in the central-
western region

7. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
Methodology
According to the terms of reference outlined by the
BID/FONACIT II Agricultural Biotechnology
project, there were planned and executed specific and
complementary activities for four components:
• Networking enhancement
• Biotechnology research and
development
• Human capital consolidation
• Technology transfer

8. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
Strategies
• Induction of compromise and commitment of
the interinstitutional research team in
structuring, designing and sharing of
information, knowledge and purposes.
• Promotion and use of participatory innovation
instruments in the development of specific
research and technology transfer activities

9. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
• Establishment of a climate for the free flow
and access to information and knowledge
processed and generated in the research
process.
• Diffusion of principles and practices of
shared management tools to attain identical
behaviour and performance among research
participants in their linking efforts with target
audiences.

10. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
• Creation of the National Legume Grain
communication network, and construction
of a web site
• Human capital consolidation through
specialized training courses and in service
technological capacities

11. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
• Technology transfer activities included
planning and monitoring
workshops, training courses,
technical meetings and workshops
on specific topics, with participation
of researchers, technicians and farmers
involved with the project.
•Also production and editing
publications, videos and micros for
radio and TV broadcasting.

12. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
RESULTS --- Networks enhancement
• Establishment of an interdisciplinary and
interinstitutional networked research team. 20
professionals of five different institutions (INIA, UCV,
UNESR, USB and DANAC), including specialists in
plant breeding, plant pathology, agricultural
biotechnology, bioinformatics, food and science
technology and technology transfer.
• Five planning, M&E workshops (with duration of two
days), allowing knowledge sharing and revision of
advancement in research objectives.
• A permanent information flow and exchange through
email was maintained, facilitating the follow up

13. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
• After several informal meetings with other
researchers, technicians and farmers in different areas
and localities in the country, in 2006 it was created
the Edible Grain Legumes National Network,
with an initial membership of 75 actors, including 26
researchers, 25 technicians, 10 extension officers and
14 farmers leaders of cooperatives or farmers
associations.
• 5 regional chapters of the network have been
organized so far, in order to facilitate interaction
diffusion of relevant information, and new members
are requesting participation through these chapters.

15. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
• A web site for the Network is already in
the internet (www.caraota.redbio.org.ve),
with information relevant for its
members, with basic information of the
project, news, events, technical/scientific
documents and links all related to edible
bean production, consumption, genetic
improvement and application of
biotechnological tools.

16. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
• A illustrated catalogue of 300 local
indigenous varieties and materials preserved
in the legumes seed bank was designed and
constructed, in electronic format, will be
accessible through the website.
• A data base for registering and consultation
of information on local varieties seeds
managed by farmers was developed and will
be soon available through the website.

18. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
RESULTS --- Human capital consolidation
Eight members of the research team have
received specialized training in different topics
(seed conservation, in vitro culture, biometrics
and bioinformatics, knowledge management and
ICT, molecular markers, biotechnological tools
for genetic improvement) in recognized
international institutes (CIAT-Colombia, INRA-
France, CSIC/INIA-Spain, CATIE-Costa Rica).

19. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
Short courses and workshops
Seven researchers participated in international
courses or workshops related to water stress,
nutritional improvement, genomics and
proteomics, knowledge management and
information systems).
Theses. Three students from Venezuelan
universities developed their research theses in
the context of the research and development
component objectives of the project.

20. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
RESULTS – Technology Transfer
International events
Several events bringing together researchers, technicians and
farmers took place, in order and share information about grain
legume improvement and production and to promote the use of
biotechnology:
• Andean Meeting of Rural Biotechnological
Enterprises for Endogenous Development. In a 3 day
meeting organized in august 2005, jointly with
IICA/PROCIANDINO and FONTAGRO,
approximately 200 participants from the Andean countries
(Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú and Venezuela).

22. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
RESULTS – Technology Transfer
Bean biotechhnology Symposium
In the framework of the 2005 Agricultural
And Food Biotechnology Venezuelan
Network Meeting, held in Maracay,
Venezuela, in December 2005, the project
sponsored the Bean Biotechnology
International Symposium, with
participation fo several specialists from
international research institutions

24. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
RESULTS – Technology Transfer
National events
• Farmers seed day. In October 29, 2005, took place
the first Farmers seed day in Sanare, Lara State, where small
farmers from the area exhibited their local seed varieties and
materials, The event was repeated in October 2006 in Sanare,
and several Farmers Seed days have been organized in other
local communities in Táchira and Trujillo states.
• In the framework of the 2005 Fair of Family consumption,
which took place in October 2005, it was organized the
Edible Bean Gastronomic Festival, where more than
500 consumers participated in a tasting table for the promotion
of alternative ways of beans consumption, and in a survey of
bean consumer preferences.

26. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
RESULTS – Technology Transfer
Other events included worshops on:
• Participatory bean improvement,
• Farmers seed preservation,
• Biofertilizers production and
• Fermented flour bean use,
• Biotechnology and rural innovation
with participation of members of the research team as
facilitators, 20 technicians and 65 farmers, aimed to the
diffusion and application of such innovative techniques
among farmers groups involves in the project.

30. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
RESULTS – Technology Transfer
Papers presented in scientific and
technical events
19 presentations with partial results and advancements of
the project were presented in different national and
international events.
Research papers
4 Research articles have been published so far, and 4 more
are under preparation for delivery by the end of 2007.

31. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
RESULTS – Technology Transfer
Publications
• INIA/FONACIT 2005. ¿Que es eso que llaman
Biotecnología?. (Comp. y edición: Ma. Elena Morros y
Alfredo Romero S.). Barquisimeto. INIA/FONACIT. 20p.
(Serie D N°4). Tiraje: 7000 ejemplares.
• I NIA/FONACIT. 2005. Tesoros de la cocina a base de
caraotas y otros granos. (comp. y edición: Ma. Elena
Morros y Francisco Ramos). Barquisimeto,
INIA/FONACIT. 72p. (Serie Pub. Especial N° 6). Tiraje:
4000 ejemplares.
• ROMERO S., A.; PÉREZ, D.; GÁMEZ, J. (Editores). 2006.
Memorias del Encuentro Andino de Empresas Rurales de
Base Biotecnológica en el marco del Desarrollo
Endógeno. Maracay, INIA/FONACIT/
PROCIANDINO/FONTAGRO. 122p. Tiraje 500 ejempl

32. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
RESULTS – Technology Transfer
Audiovisual editing and production
Video: 4 micros in video format have been produced:
• Biotechnology, participation and endogenous development,
12 min. January 6006
• Sharing knowledge and experiences in agricultural
biotechnology, Testimonials, 12 min. May 2006
• The Andean meeting of agricultural biotechnology
enterprises. 22 min.. November 2006
• Biotechnological applications in Bean improvement and
production. May 2007. 15 min.
Radio: Three 2’ micro programs for radio broadcasting were
produced: Biotechnology and Bean production, Participant
Innovation in biotechnology and Biodiversity and
Agriculture. November 2005, broadcasted during 2006
through the national network of community radio stations.

33. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
Conclusions
 The planning and execution of networks enhancement,
human capital consolidation and technology transfer,
have allowed the establishment of permanent
information and communication flows throughout the
last two years, facilitating the diffusion and knowledge
and technologies among relevant audiences (researchers,
technicians, farmers, policy makers) and their active
participation in the innovation process for
biotechnological applications in the genetic
improvement and production of common beans

34. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
Conclusions
 Preliminary results indicate an increase in
knowledge sharing activities, high participation
of farmers and technicians in scientific/
technological research and development, wide
diffusion of information through participation in
scientific events, internet (web site), printed
materials, and training courses and the
establishment of a communication network of
around 350 members.

35. Knowledge management and transfer of technology in the application
of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of beans (Phaseoulus sp) in Venezuela
Conclusions
 Knowledge levels, awareness and interest for
biotechnological applications and products have
increased in the group of almost 350 actors involved in
the different activities undertaken by the project.
 Institutional innovation has been ameliorated and
incorporated in the organizations involved, specifically
the enabling of concrete instruments and mechanisms
for farmers participation and communication networks,
widening the range of the research and development
process, in order to promote the use of biotechnological
inputs adapted to the local contexts of rural
communities.