Shri Hariman Sharma, a visionary farmer from Himachal Pradesh, has been honored with the prestigious Padma Shri, India's highest civilian award, for his remarkable contributions to agriculture. He has developed an innovative, self-pollinating, and low-chill apple variety, HRMN-99, which has revolutionized apple farming in India.
Unlike commercial apple varieties that typically require temperate climates and prolonged chilling periods, HRMN-99 thrives in hot, subtropical, and plain regions with temperatures reaching 40-45°C. This breakthrough has made apple cultivation possible in areas where it was previously considered unfeasible.
The National Innovation Foundation (NIF) validated the distinctiveness of this variety and collaborated with ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), agricultural universities, and various state agriculture departments to conduct trials and assessments. As a result, HRMN-99 has successfully expanded across 29 states and union territories, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Karnataka, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Puducherry, Himachal Pradesh, and even Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
HRMN-99 apples are known for their striped red-yellow skin, soft and juicy pulp, and impressive productivity of up to 75 kg per plant annually. The variety has empowered thousands of farmers across India. NIF has further facilitated its commercial expansion by collaborating with state agriculture departments and the North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP). This initiative has resulted in the planting of over 100,000 saplings in the northeastern states, creating an additional source of income for farmers.
Transforming Agriculture and National Challenges: Shri Hariman Sharma’s groundbreaking innovation has not only transformed apple cultivation in India but also provided farmers with increased income and better access to nutrition. Once considered a luxury fruit, apples are now within reach of the common man. His recognition through the Padma Shri Award is a testament to the power of grassroots innovations in addressing national challenges and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
