Nauni University Signs MoU with CropWave to Promote Digital Horticulture and Farmer Empowerment

July 29, 2026

Collaboration to strengthen technology transfer, digital advisory services, entrepreneurship and skill development

Nauni: Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CropWave, a Rohru Based agri-technology platform, to strengthen collaboration in digital agriculture, technology transfer, farmer outreach and capacity building. The partnership aims to integrate scientific research with digital technologies to enhance the reach and impact of horticultural innovations among farmers, students and other stakeholders.

The five-year agreement lays the foundation for collaborative initiatives in dissemination of scientific horticultural knowledge through digital platforms, strengthening technology-enabled advisory services, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, facilitating student internships and experiential learning and encouraging sustainable and climate-resilient horticultural practices.

The MoU was signed today between University Vice Chancellor Prof. HS Baweja and CEO Cropwave Parwant Samta in the presence of University Scientists and Company representatives.

Under the agreement, the University and CropWave will jointly organise farmer training programmes, capacity-building workshops, skill development courses and awareness campaigns on modern horticultural technologies. The collaboration will also explore opportunities for market linkages, promotion of University-developed technologies, certified planting material and quality products, in accordance with University policies. Diagnostic and advisory services relating to soil, water and plant health, along with promotion of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), will also form an important component of the partnership.

As part of the collaboration, CropWave will facilitate farmer outreach, provide logistical support for jointly approved programmes and assist in the digital dissemination of scientifically validated information. The University will contribute its scientific expertise by providing research-based recommendations, educational material and technical guidance while ensuring the authenticity and quality of all technical content released under its name.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Baweja said, “The future of horticulture lies in effectively combining scientific research with digital technologies to deliver timely, reliable and location-specific solutions to farmers. This collaboration with CropWave reflects the University’s commitment to taking research beyond laboratories and classrooms to the field through innovative digital platforms. Together, we aim to strengthen technology transfer, create entrepreneurial opportunities for youth, enhance students’ practical learning and contribute towards building a resilient and sustainable horticulture sector in Himachal Pradesh and beyond.”

The MoU does not involve any immediate financial commitment by either party. An initial three-month pilot phase has been envisaged to evaluate collaborative initiatives and explore suitable financial and operational frameworks, revenue sharing mechanism for future activities through separate agreements, wherever required.

Dr Devina Vaidya, Director Research, Dr Anil Handa, OSD to Vice Chancellor, Dr KK Raina, Scientific Advisor, Dr Bhupesh Gupta along with Mahesh Thakur, Nishant Samta and Naveen Sangtan from Cropwave were present on the occasion

About Cropwave

Cropwave is a data-driven, youth lead integrated AgriTech and horticulture innovation platform built as a one-stop, end-to-end ecosystem for the orchard-based horticulture industry. Cropwave brings the entire horticulture value chain under one umbrella, offering comprehensive solutions for farmers, agribusinesses, and industry stakeholders. From complete farm management and data-driven decision-making to agricultural inputs, technology-enabled services, expert knowledge, post-harvest solutions, and market linkages, Cropwave is designed to address the diverse needs of the horticulture ecosystem through a single integrated platform. By combining technology, field-level expertise, data, and industry collaboration, Cropwave aims to help farmers improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability while creating a more connected and efficient horticulture value chain.