Six Student-Led Agri-Innovations That Stood Out at AgriFest 2026, Parul University

The agri-innovation pavilions at AgriFest 2026 are where the Faculty of Agriculture‘s curriculum comes alive. Final-year students do not just submit research papers — they develop products, test them in laboratories, price them for the market, and present them directly to consumers. This hands-on approach reflects the practical learning model followed in the BSc Agriculture course at Parul University.

This article profiles six ventures that demonstrated how a local agricultural problem can be transformed into a meaningful food technology, skincare, or agri-business solution through research, innovation, and the support ecosystem.

The problem was specific and local: chikoo (sapodilla) has exceptional dietary fibre – approximately 7-8% – but suffers from massive post-harvest losses. A good amount of chikoo gets wasted because not many options are available to add value to the fruit before it spoils. A group of students from the Agriculture Department addressed this issue by experimenting at the university lab. Chikoos were dried in the lab to gain a powder form of the same, which was mixed with granola, i.e. made from oats, nuts and other grains. As chikoos are naturally sweet, they replace refined sugar, making it a healthy option for an anytime snack.

The post-harvest problem gets addressed here, as this project transformed the waste or anticipated waste into a useful product. The Chikoo Granola Cluster was shown as an example at the AgriFest 2026. The participating team used this event to gather feedback and associate with different departments of Parul University. The next steps include refining the product further, applying for a patent, and launching it in the market at an affordable price.

Here’s a brand that focuses on something different from what is available in the market. The commercial cookies are made of maida, palm oil, and all-purpose flour with no to minimal nutritional value. The aim of Moribix is to deliver nutrition-based products. They use multiple combinations of millets, which are consumed by Indians with drumstick (moringa) powder for additional nutritional value. The cookies are gluten-free and contain no refined sugar and flour, with no sugar varieties making it a healthy option for diabetes and an alternative to processed foods

At AgriFest, Moribix cookies were sold at a deliberately low price to demonstrate the team’s intention: making nutritious food accessible to as many people as possible. The team operates on a business-to-consumer model and has expressed interest in receiving support from PIERC – Parul Innovation & Entrepreneurship Research Centre to improve formulation and scale production. Moribix represents a journey driven by market observation, regional relevance, and health-oriented innovation.

In the Dairy Department of the Faculty of Agriculture, students conducting experiments with milk products realised that substantial amounts of whey – a by-product of paneer production – were being discarded. After further research, they determined that waste whey contains approximately 8-10 grams of protein per serving. Discarding it was wasting a valuable nutrient.

Guided by their professor, Mr. Rishab, the team combined whey with pomegranate peel powder – rich in dietary fibre – to create Pop Whey Cookies. The cookies are preservative-free, suitable for all age groups from children to the elderly, and high in protein. In addition to providing a healthy snack alternative, the product addresses dairy waste management – turning a material that is typically disposed of into a commercially viable food item.

The team developed the product in the university laboratory and presented a working prototype at AgriFest 2026. Because of the uniqueness of the concept – converting dairy industry waste into consumer nutrition – the team plans to file for a patent.

Chocoveda began with a simple insight: chocolate is consumed by all age groups and has enormous market presence, but refined sugar makes it unsuitable for children with dietary restrictions, the elderly, and people with diabetes. Dark chocolate offers a healthier alternative but is too bitter for most regular consumers.

The team replaced refined sugars with natural sweeteners and incorporated multiple seed varieties selected specifically for their omega-3 fatty acid content – a nutrient that is typically deficient in vegetarian diets. Instead of requiring supplements or medicines, consumers can meet their omega-3 needs through a familiar, enjoyable food product.

At AgriFest, Chocoveda was priced at ₹25 per piece, with only 50 pieces prepared for the event. By the end of the first day, almost all pieces had sold – validating consumer interest in a healthier chocolate alternative. The team plans to launch Chocoveda commercially in the coming year, targeting children, young adults, seniors, athletes, and people with diabetes.

Revitalize Cosmetics was born from a growing demand for effective, all-natural skincare products – and the observation that many powerful botanical ingredients remain commercially untapped. The team researched and conducted laboratory experiments to combine natural ingredients with scientific formulations, resulting in a hero product: a face wash with natural botanical salicylic acid that cleanses pores deeply and helps prevent acne breakouts.

The breakthrough ingredient was an extract derived from butterfly pea flowers – rich in flavonoids (anthocyanins) with antioxidant and skin-beneficial properties. This ingredient is expensive and not commonly available in India, making the formulation both innovative and distinctive. The team also incorporated tremella mushrooms and blue pea flowers into their face cream formulation.

The company was officially registered on 9 January 2026 and went live on 5 February 2026 – just one day before AgriFest. The product was priced at ₹249 with an introductory event price of ₹199. At AgriFest, the team not only promoted their products but also encouraged farmers to consider butterfly pea flower cultivation – connecting skincare innovation back to agricultural opportunity.

Parul University offers a BSc Agriculture course that provides students with comprehensive knowledge and practical training in modern agricultural practices, crop production, soil science, agri-technology, and sustainable farming methods, preparing them for careers in the agriculture and allied sectors.

Gardenica was founded by a graduate of the Parul University Faculty of Agriculture who identified a gap that most people overlook: nearly all fertilisers and manures on the market are designed for large-scale field crops. Home gardeners – people maintaining kitchen gardens, terrace gardens, and nursery plants – need different products with different formulations, different application methods, and different care approaches.

This insight led to Gardenica, a company that develops plant care products exclusively for home gardeners and nurseries. Their product line includes Dr. Neem (a neem-based cake powder), Neem Oil for general plant growth, and Pestocare for controlling plant insects and pests. Since its launch in 2015, Gardenica has grown into a recognized brand in the Vadodara gardening market, with products available in nurseries across the city and on Amazon, Meesho, Flipkart, and the company’s own website.

Key business metrics: annual revenue in the range of ₹6.5–7 lakhs, a 70% repeat customer rate, a team of five managing manufacturing, packaging, marketing, and sales from their facility in Manjusha GIDC, Vadodara. Product prices range from ₹100 to ₹550. At AgriFest 2026, Gardenica’s all-in-one spray was the best-selling product, and the event generated on-site orders for post-event delivery – a milestone for the brand.