Nauni varsity inks tech transfer deal for apple cider vinegar production

In a significant step aimed at strengthening academia-industry collaboration, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Himgiri Agri Solutions, Rohru, for the production of apple cider vinegar using technology developed by the university’s Department of Food Science and Technology (FST).

The MoU was signed by Dr Sanjeev Chauhan, Director of Research, on behalf of the university and Jatinder Singh and Joginder Singh, promoters of Himgiri Agri Solutions. Vice-Chancellor Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, along with Dr Manish Sharma, Dean, College of Horticulture; Dr Rakesh Sharma, HoD, FST; and faculty members of the department were also present on the occasion.

This marks the third non-exclusive technology transfer by UHF for apple cider vinegar production. Under the agreement, Himgiri Agri Solutions will manufacture and market the product while acknowledging the university’s technology on its labels. A technology fee has been paid for this transfer.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rakesh Sharma, developer of the technology, explained that the method offers an efficient alternative to traditional vinegar production. “It allows complete utilisation of deformed apples, commonly wasted due to lack of processing facilities while providing a sustainable avenue for enhancing farm income,” he said.

Lauding their efforts, Vice-Chancellor Chandel dwelt upon the growing popularity of apple cider vinegar for its health benefits. “This innovation not only enhances farmer returns but also addresses the significant wastage of low-grade apples in production regions. The optimised protocols improve both the quality and efficiency of vinegar production over slow traditional methods,” he said.

Jatinder Singh, representing Himgiri Agri Solutions, expressed gratitude to the university for its continued trust. “This technology will help us deliver affordable, health-oriented products to a wider consumer base. We are proud to build further on this partnership,” he said.

Starting from skill development and online agri-education partnership with Himgiri’s learning platform — Khetiyari, the partnership between the two institutions has grown to include a fruit processing incubation centre run by the company under the PPP mode on the university campus, signifying a model partnership in agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship.

The cider vinegar technology was developed through the DST project titled, ‘Standardisation and Commercialisation of Apple Cider Vinegar Production Technology for Sustainable Livelihoods of Weaker Sections in Hilly Areas’. Initiated in 2014, the project focused on standardising rapid, cost-effective protocols to produce high-quality vinegar till 2016.

In 2018, Hilly Foods became the first agri company to sign an agreement with the university to use this technology to produce apple cider vinegar while another startup Ruhill signed a non-exclusive agreement for this tech in 2021.