Hariman Sharma, associated with the Ghumarwin Tehsil of Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh, needs no introduction today. He is a farmer who astonished everyone with his discovery in 2005. To promote apple cultivation in the country, this agricultural scientist from Himachal Pradesh developed an apple variety that could be grown in lower regions as well. Until 2005, no one imagined that a fruit like apple, usually grown in snowy mountains, could be cultivated in the lower areas of Himachal Pradesh, which are just 700 meters above sea level and experience temperatures ranging from 40 to 46 degrees Celsius.
He patented this developed apple variety under his name, calling it HRMN 99. The specialty of this apple is its adaptability in foggy regions. He first grew an apple plant from a seed and through grafting, created a new variety of apples that resembled traditional region-specific apples in terms of size, quality, and taste. However, this apple variety could also yield fruit easily in regions with temperatures ranging from 40 to 46 degrees Celsius.
After Hariman Sharma's success, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Shimla researched and acknowledged it as a successful apple variety. Subsequently, there was a demand for HRMN 99 apples from various states. Today, Hariman Sharma has sent over 7 lakh apple plants to 29 states, where apples are yielding well. Alongside apple cultivation, Hariman Sharma has initiated the cultivation of chiku and coffee in this horticultural sector. Moreover, he is working to involve many individuals in horticulture, ensuring a good income for them. Hariman Sharma believes that one can earn lakhs annually through horticulture, enabling the younger generation to generate a good income from this field.
Making Waves Across Borders
This successful variety created by Hariman Sharma, HRMN 99 apples, is now producing apple crops in every corner of the country. These areas include Bengaluru, Chikmagalur, Bailgram (Karnataka), Sirsa, Karnal, Hisar, Gurugram (Haryana), Hoshiarpur (Punjab), Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh), Haldwani and Kotbagh (Uttarakhand), Sihor, Narsinghpur, Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh), Imphal (Manipur), Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh), Sikar (Rajasthan), Nashik, Solapur, Amravati (Maharashtra), Silvassa (Dadra and Nagar Haveli), Ranchi (Jharkhand), Nawada (Bihar), Gujarat, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Sikkim, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Odisha, and nine districts in Jammu. Additionally, this variety is also making waves abroad. It is performing well in countries like Germany, Nepal, Bangladesh, and South Africa.
Special Features of HRMN 99
Speaking of the special features of HRMN 99, the traditional region-specific apples are usually ready from July to September. However, this apple variety grown in warmer areas matures by June. At that time, apples are not available in the market, thus fetching good prices. The biggest advantage of this apple variety is that it provides a great alternative to farmers in extremely hot regions and all states of India where apple plants were not previously grown. It is environmentally suitable due to its year-round greenery. The apple plants are planted at a distance of 15-15 feet. Moreover, farmers can also increase their income by planting vegetables, fodder crops, wheat, corn, and pulse crops among the apple plants.
Several Awards Have Been Achieved
Seeing Hariman Sharma's achievement, the Himachal Pradesh and Indian governments honored him. Alongside this, he has encouraged and trained youths to work in horticulture. Hariman Sharma has received the District-Level Best Horticulturist Award (2006), State-Level Excellent Farmer Award (2008), State-Level Source of Inspiration Award (2009), and the Best Himachali Farmer Award, along with several district and state-level awards. Furthermore, former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, honored Hariman Sharma with the Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Award in 2017.
