Context:
Recently, Hariman Sharma, a visionary farmer from Himachal Pradesh, has been honoured with Padma Shri for developing a unique variety of apples called HRMN – 99 that can be grown in tropical climates.
About the HRMN-99 variety of Apple
- The HRMN – 99 is a self-pollinating, low-chilling apple variety, which has revolutionised apple cultivation by expanding the geographical reach where traditional apple farming was once considered impossible.
- Unlike commercial apple varieties that require temperate climates and extended chilling hours, this variety is capable of growing in tropical, sub-tropical, and plain regions with summer temperatures reaching 40-45°C.
- It is characterized by its striped red-over-yellow skin, soft and juicy pulp, and ability to produce up to 75 kg of fruit per plant annually.
- Hariman Sharma developed this variety by experimenting with various scions, grafting techniques and refining in his orchards.
- This variety has also been registered under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmer’s Rights Authority, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India.
- In 2012, the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) verified the distinctness of the variety and supported its validation by facilitating molecular studies, fruit quality testing, and multi-location trials in collaboration with ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), agricultural universities, state agriculture departments, farmers and volunteers spread across the country.
- The variety has now expanded to 29 states and Union territories.
About Shri Hariman Sharma
He is an agriculturalist form from Paniala village of Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh.
Key awards honoured to Sharma for his development of this new variety of apples.
- National Award in 2017 during the 9th National Biennial Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Awards
- The National Innovative Farmer Award by the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry (2016)
- IARI Fellow Award (2017)
- Kisan Vaigyanik Upadhi by DDG, ICAR (2017)
- National Best Farmer Award (2018)
- Rashtriya Krishak Samrat Samman (2018)
- Jagjivan Ram Krishi Abhinav Award (2019)
He also represented India in the 4th ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation Forum (AIGIF) 2023 held in Malaysia.
Sharma is currently in the process of developing new varieties of plump, nectarine, apricot and other fruits.