1 Man, 41 Awards, and a 68-Year Journey: A Tale of Successful Apple Cultivation in Warmer Climates

Hariman Sharma was born on April 4, 1956, in Gllasin village, Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh. His early life was marked by hardship—his mother passed away when he was just three days old. After this tragedy, he was adopted by Sh. Ridku Ram from Panyala village. Growing up in a family that traditionally cultivated crops like wheat and paddy, Hariman joined the farming activities after completing his education up to class 9.

Although his beginning was full of struggle, Hariman always had bigger dreams. His deep interest in agriculture drove him to explore new avenues, even when conventional wisdom suggested otherwise.

Breaking Tradition: Cultivating Apples in a Warm Climate

“Until the 1990s, mango cultivation was predominant in our area. In 1992, a frost wiped out many mango trees, and that’s when I decided to experiment with apples,” Hariman shared.

Traditionally, apples are grown in high-altitude areas, between 5,000 and 8,500 feet above sea level, where the climate is cool, and chilling hours (1,000 to 1,500 hours) are essential for fruit development. But Hariman’s vision was different.

He began his trials by extracting seeds from apples he bought from the market, nurturing the saplings, and grafting them onto plum and apple trees. His persistence finally bore fruit in 2007 when he successfully developed an apple variety that could thrive in the lower hills, at just 700 meters above sea level. This region, with summer temperatures ranging between 40°C to 45°C, was considered too hot for apple cultivation.

Hariman’s success wasn’t immediate, and it wasn’t without skepticism. “People didn’t believe it could be done,” Hariman says. “But I always believed that nature could surprise us if we worked with it.”

In the process of getting recognition, on July 7, 2007, Hariman presented 10 kilograms of apples and 5 kilograms of mangoes—grown together on his farm in Panyala—to the then Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal. The Chief Minister was so impressed that he convened a meeting with top officials from the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments and personally visited Hariman’s farm to witness the thriving apple trees. 

After which, the scientists researched about the variety he developed and it was seen that it requires significantly fewer chilling hours and can produce apples in much warmer climates. In 2014, Hariman applied for a copyright for the variety, and in 2022, it received official recognition as HRMN-99.

Recognition and Achievements

In 2008, Hariman was honored with the “Prerna Strot Samman Award” by Prem Kumar Dhumal. Over the years, Hariman has received 18 national awards, 15 state-level awards, and 7 other honors. Among his most notable recognitions are the “National Innovative Farmer Award” from the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, and the prestigious “Grassroots Innovation Award” from the late President of India, Pranab Mukherjee.

Currently, Hariman serves as a member of the Research Council at Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, and the State Level Executive Committee under the Mission of Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) Project by the Government of Himachal Pradesh.

Financial Success and Farming Innovation

Hariman is not limited to apples. Besides HRMN-99, he also cultivates mangoes, plums, avocados, coffee, and other fruits. On his 4-acre farm, Hariman grows a variety of crops, including maize and wheat. However, the majority of his income comes from the HRMN-99 apple variety.

His apple nursery, which spans 1-2 bighas of land, contains 50,000 saplings of HRMN-99, which he sells at Rs. 100 per plant. Hariman earns Rs. 30-40 lakh annually from his apple nursery alone, selling the apples at Rs. 150 per kilogram. When combined with his other crops, his annual income reaches Rs. 60-70 lakh.

“I employ three full-time workers from Uttar Pradesh and hire 10-12 women from my village to help with packing and farm work,” Hariman explained, highlighting the employment opportunities his farm has created.

HRMN-99: A Game-Changer for Farmers

The success of the HRMN-99 variety extends far beyond Hariman’s farm. His apple variety has now been planted in all 29 states of India, with successful fruiting reported in 23 states. HRMN-99 has also crossed international borders, with the variety being cultivated in Bangladesh, Nepal, Germany, Malaysia, and Zambia, proving that this apple can thrive in warm climates across the globe.

Hariman’s efforts have been supported by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), which helped plant 18,000 HRMN-99 saplings across India as part of research trials. This apple variety has even been planted in the Rashtrapati Bhavan gardens in New Delhi, where it has started bearing fruits successfully.

Closer to home, more than 100,000 HRMN-99 apple saplings have been planted by farmers across seven districts of Himachal Pradesh, all yielding fruit. Hariman has played a pivotal role in training these farmers, sharing his knowledge and helping them achieve success with this innovative apple variety.

Hariman’s Message to Fellow Farmers

Hariman’s journey from a small village farmer to a national innovator is a true source of inspiration to others. To his fellow farmers, he offers a simple but powerful message:

“Agriculture is not a career of loss. If you dedicate yourself fully, you will not only earn good profits but also gain respect. Trust in nature, innovate, and never be afraid to try something new.”

Today, Hariman’s HRMN-99 apple variety is more than just a scientific innovation; it’s a symbol of what’s possible when passion, hard work, and innovation come together in the pursuit of agricultural excellence. His legacy continues to grow, one apple sapling at a time.