A Study on Licensing-Based Determinants of Seed Variety Commercialization from the Perspective of Licensees

Abstract

Food crops contribute to food security in developing countries while being planted and harvested for profit in many industrialized countries. To improve food security and farmer income, the National Agricultural Research System of India developed and disseminated many crop varieties through technology transfer. Non-exclusive licensing allowed faster distribution due to multiple players having seed production rights and a market pricing control mechanism. Current literature shows technology transfer mechanism research on non-exclusive licensing is scarce. This study investigates the determinants of crop variety tech transfer in the case of non-exclusive licensing. It collects data from 100 seed licensees of India's largest agricultural research institute to examine the process from their perspective. Multivariate regression is applied to analyze the data under four domains, i.e., technology, technology transferor, tech transfer procedure, and policy. Technology readiness, availability, and an amicable tech transfer procedure boost technology commercialization, while stringent tech transfer policies negatively affect it. Results are used to create an effective technology transfer action framework to improve crop variety technology dissemination and enhance food security.