Key lessons learned from the experience of innovators

GROUP – I : Key lessons learned from the experience of the innovator We were 12 people. We discussed on several issues, made several deliberations. As we have number of innovators, and we cannot do anything individually, unless we have a database of all innovators, we suggest that a database should be made of all inventors –their expertise area, area of interest. Can be on web. Problem solving forum for innovations – An innovator has an idea in mind, but doesn’t have the technical expertise to put up in practical. Among ourselves we can help each other. Logistics support for products, designs, market- due to geographical diversity all things are not available at all places. So if a database is there one can approach an innovator there and get the material. To access support from research and technical institutions- educational institutions etc who will help in giving the right technological research. Difficulties faced and changes in policy suggested 1. Funding problem Idea to Product - An inventor may find difficulty in transforming idea to product if there is lack of fund. If he tells the idea to someone else for funding, it may so happen that that person may use the idea and make the product. Product to Market- once the product is ready if the innovator doesn’t have adequate funding the product will not reach the market Need for venture fund - Innovators innovation fund can be found so that they can help the innovators in getting necessary funding. Duplicating requirements (prototype) of different agencies-One standard testing organization should be formed which will suffice for all technical clearances. Patenting process -Cumbersome, time taking. If an innovation is submitted to NIF, it should suffice the condition of not copying. National register for inventions and innovations should be accepted for patenting. Educational institutes, faculty and students should take up projects of innovators and help in research, designing, other technical support. Educational institutes should include in their curriculum a chapter on these innovations and innovators. Other Concerns Vested interest of existing technologies/businessmen – Other businessmen, who have similar products, may try and interfere with the marketing and sale of innovators products. A system should be formed where this can be stopped Lack of protection for innovations outside the country – Giving eg. of Neem patent. Govt. should come forward with a country to country understanding that an innovator invention is not copied and patented internationally. Inventors Association The objectives of the inventors association should be in line with goal of NIF – Objectives and goals should be in par with NIF. It will not be commercialized and will not be for profit. The main aim of this association will be to spread innovations, take more products to market. In the association no none person will be responsible for taking decision, collective decision making should be done, the association will be a democratic one. Old man, experienced man, preferably, an innovator will be kept the chairperson of an executive committee that will take various decisions. A thematic group depending on various subjects should be formed. Some operating body should be formed for funding the venture capital – banks, other sources. Operating expenses from innovators contribution will depend on the form circulated on how the money that comes from the innovation/product will be divided into various parts. Question raised by one of the participants – There are three types of Govt. We must not do what NRDC and other like institutes are doing. Let’s keep the thing to a district collector level. GROUP – II : How can innovators help each other? Training programs / demonstration- We should all come together and see to it, that various training programmes are conducted by innovators, themselves, in local areas to create awareness about various aspects in which the innovator is expert in. Creating awareness on technology-Each one must become a node in creating awareness in what we are doing here. Help in IPR and transferring technology for commercial benefits Collaboration with similar technology or innovation Financial assistance for further development and product designing Counseling to know the procedures, benefits advantages of commercialization Identifying the target groups to buy the technology- this forum must identify groups Policy and Planning Process patenting takes long time, this forum must see that such problems are posed to the Government, and measures on the same should be taken. The innovations cannot be put on the same platform as the existing products e.g. the product can be eco-friendly, more convenient etc, so Govt. must help the innovators to launch their products on a new platform and help in marketing the new product. There might be a particular target group in some part of the country who might need the product; a proper channel should be created so that they come to know about the product. Publicity by media etc. Local level training programmes required to create awareness among the local people. How one can come to know about NIF Each innovator should initiate to spread their message to the people about the NIF. People to people publicity are main source to cover maximum publicity. Smaller group in the local people can understand the problems and can take measures without contacting the National level authority. The association should be formed on a local level. In the association Invention, Inventor, problems etc. everything should be discussed so everyone is benefited. GROUP-III : What kind of policy and institution incentives help speed up the process of innovation People should experiment with each others innovations Research on each other innovations by innovators Women and students should be given importance, especially, girl students Innovations by handicapped people should be encouraged, and they should be awarded in a separate category. Media publicity is essential, so the local magazines and newspapers should be popularized The name of the scout should be mentioned in the entries, and should also be announced while giving away the awards When the associations are being formed in different regions, the nodal officers and other colleagues should also get involved, either as members of advisory committee, or otherwise. More importance should be given to the innovators. There should be a separate advisory committee of experts. Initially for sometime the association should work informally, later formal resession should be done. Nodal officers should be there in each state. An association should be formed with the help of these officers who have more innovator members. An advisory committee should also be formed. Protection to the innovation is necessary Suggestions for Government: Innovators should be given 5 yrs, of tax rebate. Small industries trying to innovate should also be given tax rebate. Raw materials should be available to the innovators. Govt. Shri Jagdish said that his cauliflower is so big (8 kg) that a single family cannot consume it. So govt. should help in marketing in hotels, military camps, college mess etc. In every village there should be an R & D center so that innovators don’t have to go far. Universities and other similar institutes should provide certificate of quality. If the innovation is being transported for an exhibition then there should be minimal formalities for transporting that innovation. Organic farming development through NIF. Some kind of agricultural training to be given to the innovators through agricultural universities and small scale industries. GROUP – IV :How to make future campaign to scout innovations more successful Technical expertise sharing among innovators (Respective) Publicity for innovations/products in their respective area-geographical area, each of us can publicize in each state. Translating the innovations in respective local language for wider publicity Conducting local applications for adoption of innovations-if a particular innovation is made or specific area (geographical) and needs some technical change for use in other area. Then innovators can help each other in research. Dealership for marketing other innovator products- each innovators can take dealership of another innovation in their area- make a new marketing channel. Financial help Innovators Associations Criteria for membership to be defined clearly. Members elect their office bearers democratically Need for innovators Association itself has to be discussed. Because existing Honey Bee network/NIF can do the work instead of innovators association. Many group members said there should be no membership fee since innovators are from low-income group. Other revenue methods should be thought of Members shall have entrance fee, annual renewal fee, and voluntary donation. Credit for association members through the fund generated. Local/state level inventors/volunteers may come forward to form their own association. Policy makers NIF Recognition shall have to be deemed as government validity Respective state government formulates pilot project for financial support to innovators. Honor the innovators through awards, at state level by Chief Minister of respective states on republic day etc. so that these innovations and innovators come in limelight. Should contact Doordarshan/local T V channels/news papers for wider publicity Subsidies, Tax exemption to innovators products. Credit card system (Green card) far availing quick soft loan from bank. NIF Register should be considered as Pseudo Patent/Temporary patent Quick loan facility on a low interest should be given Innovators should be given a pension or financial support Similar to freedom fighters benefits shall also be made available to the innovators. If an innovator doesn’t have a formal education he/she should be given some relaxation in jobs related to their innovation i.e. engineering, medical, plant breeding etc. Scouting NIF shall have a branch in every state Repeated advertisement in local media Scouting from school/college level eg in science mela etc One chapter on NIF/Innovators in school syllabus so that from childhood an awareness is created. Work should be decentralized and award function should be held in one state every year Rotational ceremonies of NIF award instead of connectivity at Head quarters. To have one GIAN in each region. GROUP – V : What kind of linkages with private sectors, R & D institutions and the other stake holders are intended to pursue in the future 1. Free exchange of addresses and information of all innovators. 2. Categorization; region, crops, problem wise 3. Free access to database 4. Encourage local, district, region and state level interactions 5. Non-commercial innovations should be exchanged freely Innovators Associations 1. Should be at three levels : State, Region and National 2. Formation of AD-HOC state association immediately from participants of first competition 3. National level federation of state association. 4. Only innovators to head the state association. 5. Democracy, transparency and decentralization in the association at all level. 6. Federation must decide structure, mandate contents and nature of organization. 7. Encourage the association of innovators of organic agricultural technology at sub-state level. Lessons and Suggestions to New Campaign 1. Region/issue/gender specific campaign should be done. Separate category to encourage innovations by women should be formed Eg. Kitchen garden and orchids - innovations by women, recipe 2. Problem oriented topical innovations Eg. Solutions to mite disease in coconut 3. Awardees must demonstrate their innovations before their group, women and students in their locality 4. Targeting the awardees. Innovators should be given prizes if they scout innovations Eg. Ist prize 100 innovations II nd/state level 50-”- III rd 25 -”- Consolation 10 –”- 5. More students from school and colleges should be involved 6. Entries from small scale industrial and cottage industry technologies should be encouraged (Eg:CII) 7. Remove the apprehension of disclosure. Every year the problems of each category should be discussed. Patenting and Commercialization 1. NIF and innovators federation should discuss the policies regarding patenting. IN absence of any discussion these policies hold little meaning for the innovators. 2. Patenting of entries to NIF competition must be undertaken by NIF 3. NIF to have advisory board with representatives from concerned Govt. bodies. 4. State Govt. should establish a separate innovator body under CM’s control 5. Individual innovators have to come to agreement only through NIF/associations 6. NIF/association must negotiate with Pvt. Agencies to commercialize the innovation/invention 7. Patenting and commercialization should be left to the discretion of innovators IIM students are given case studies of innovators as entrepreneurs etc. Krishi Darshan programs should be held in each language and the message should be passed in the informal sector about NIF GROUP – VI : How micro finance groups/venture finance/institutions could provide financial support to small scale enterprises based on innovations. 1. Similar minded innovators may learn join together in a district innovation circle to exchange ideas. 2. Some of the innovators need support through propaganda, through media and finance. 3. The district circle may be formed chaired by the district collector, and meetings may be conducted at least once in 6 months period, where the district collector will listen to the problems of the innovators. 4. The intellectual property protection, in the beginning, may be taken up by the gram sabhas and the district innovators circle. 5. The members who enroll these gain confidence with the government and the society. 6. Government should help the innovators by the media support. 7. Area/subject wise directory of the innovators may be prepared and circulated among the members. 8. NIF may prepare brochure of the different information needed to the necessary centres like the industrial consumers. 9. NIF may identify problem areas and inform the innovators to work further in that particular area. 10. All innovators may not win prizes, for those participants NIF may present appreciation letters/certificate. 11. NIF and State Government may come forward with financial help to the prospective and needing innovators. 12. Criteria for judgment may be based on categories (such as agriculture, engineering, medicine) 13. Disability, rehabilitation management, shall be included as a new area by NIF. 14. The State level association will have its chair person, probably the secretary Science and Technology of the state, and the director of industry as one of the executive member. 15. We have to utilize the concept of community patent by involving the support of community centres. 16. Cross cultural exchange of thoughts experienced by organizing necessary tours, travels among the country-wide-innovators. 17. Travel concessions may be arranged to the innovators to facilitate study tours to other centers. 18. Many innovators are facing non acceptance by formal technocrats. NIF shall initiate necessary support at the various levels. 19. Base on the type of innovation on the demand valuation basis the profit sharing system shall be chalked out and the innovator, himself, shall decide the ratio. 20. Prior to the award of patentship a formal certificate may be give to the innovator. 21. The innovators may be protected from the government officials of appropriate regions. 22. Members may create awareness of NIF’s activities among the mass. GROUP – VII : Any more suggestions for NIF 1. The relation with the state Nodal Officer with innovators should be kept very friendly. Nodal officer should take initiative. 2. Many other states like Orissa do not have any Nodal Officer as yet. So NIF is requested to appoint one for them 3. If any innovators come to NIF for help, we will co-operate. Innovators should also help each other out with their innovations 4. Ideas of innovators must be published in local language for distribution among villagers. 5. Smt. Malatiben said that villagers always asked her about her innovation and she used to give them the information. Now she has promised to ask the whether they too have innovated something, and in this way, she will help NIF in creating awareness and scouting new innovations. NIF Policy and Management 1. State Nodal Officers should approach their chief secretaries for covering a letter to district magistrates to locate and search all innovators of their area and inform NIF through a state nodal officer. 2. NCC, NSS scout and similar organizations can be asked to help in locating innovators. 3. As a safety measure entries of innovator who have not won awards, should be kept confidential by the NIF and they should also be helped if they want to patent their innovations. 4. Steps should be initiated by the NIF for getting their entries patented even if it is not awarded. Association in a state level to be build up GIAN concept should be popularized in all the states. All innovators are expected to be volunteers of NIF. APPEAL 1. Consolation prize amount of Rs.1000.00 must be enhance to Rs. 5000.00 2. The installation of problem bank GROUP VIII : Form and shape of Innovators and Inventors Association Those who are involved in innovations of agricultural products or plants, felt that the agricultural practices should be shared with the local communities, as they are representatives of that area only. There is no need for patenting at all. They should be used only for community help. Traditional health system innovation – only community should be benefited by it. As it is community knowledge it should be respected and should not be spread and formalized. Innovations dealing with tools and implements must be patented. What help we can give Sharing with local communities should be done, associations should be formalized Exhibitions at district and village levels should be organized Formal media – print and TV Policy changes Local institutes should be linked with formal institutes for R and D Budget provision should be made to encourage innovations Patent processing should be simplified Local institutes should encourage students to use and research on innovations NIF should time to time inform the innovators about the changes in policies in patenting and other related topics Inventors Association All innovators whose innovations are registered with NIF can, only, be the members of the innovative forum, at the district and state levels. Honey Bee collaborates should be the members Research institutes, financial institutes, educational inst. should be members of this forum There should be adequate representations of women, youth and disabled in the forum so that their interest can be taken care of. Then a set of moral regulations regarding the function of these forums at the district and state levels should be formulated by NIF. Funding and Resource Generation Membership fee should be kept for revenue generation. Institutional fee should be kept for institutes who wish to collaborate Part of the prize money could be parted State govt. should share some part