Surat: Navsari Agricultural University (NAU) has entered into an international technology transfer agreement with Nepal-based Modern Agriculture & Herbs Business Farm Ltd for its patented innovation NOVEL, an organic liquid nutrient developed from banana pseudostems.Vice-chancellor R M Naya signed the agreement with the firm, which operates as a proprietorship owned by Toplal in Nepal.NOVEL was developed under the guidance of research director T R Alhavat, research scientist V R Nayak, and associate research scientist Chirag Desai.The agreement marks NAU‘s third international technology transfer, following earlier transfers of the same technology to companies based in the US and Botswana. During the 2025-26 financial year, more than 65 lakh litres of NOVEL were produced worldwide.The MoU was facilitated by Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s (ICAR) commercial arm Agrinnovate India in New Delhi, which provided support throughout the international technology transfer process.After the signing of the agreement, associate research scientist Desai conducted a non-disclosure training programme for the Nepal-based firm’s designated officer, covering the production process of NOVEL from banana pseudostems.According to govt rules, the technology transfer fee for such patented innovations ranges from $9,000 to $15,000.
