Hariman Sharma, a visionary farmer from Himachal Pradesh, has been honored with Padma Shri, one of the highest Civilian Awards for his transformative contribution to Indian agriculture. He developed an innovative, self-pollinating, low-chilling apple variety called HRMN – 99, which has revolutionized the apple cultivation landscape in the country and brought a juicy nutritive variety more within reach in terms of geography and affordability.
Unlike commercial apple varieties that require temperate climates and extended chilling hours, HRMN-99 thrives in tropical, sub-tropical, and plain regions with summer temperatures reaching 40-45°C, enabling apple farming in areas where it was previously considered unviable.
Orphaned during childhood, Hariman Sharma a visionary farmer’s journey from the mountainous lanes of his tiny hamlet Paniala, located in Bilaspur (HP) to the great halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan being awarded Padma Shri is truly inspirational not only for the farming community but also for the students, researchers, and horticulturists of the country. Despite all odds, Shri Sharma completed his education till matric and pursued his passion for farming and pomology.
The story of the HRMN-99 apple variety began in 1998 when Hariman Sharma planted a few seeds from discarded apples used for household consumption in his backyard. Remarkably, one of these seeds sprouted the following year, and by 2001, the plant bore fruit despite the warm climate of Paniala, situated at an elevation of 1,800 feet. Realizing its potential, he carefully tended to the mother plant and propagated it through grafting, eventually establishing a flourishing apple orchard.
Over the following decade, he focused on expanding his orchards by experimenting with various scions, and grafting techniques, and refining his innovative apple variety. Despite his efforts to share this breakthrough with regions having similar climatic conditions, his work initially garnered limited attention from both the farming and scientific communities.
In 2012, the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, scouted this innovation. 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 are spread across the country.
Through these collaborative efforts, the variety has expanded to 29 states and UTs, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli, Karnataka, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Pondicherry, Himachal Pradesh as well as planted at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. NIF also facilitated the registration of the variety at the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority, New Delhi.
For his innovation, Shri Hariman Sharma was conferred the National Award in 2017 during the 9th National Biennial Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Awards by the then Hon’ble President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee. He also has several accolades to his credit including the National Innovative Farmer Award by Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry, GoI (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) and several state and central government awards. He also represented India in the 4th ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation Forum (AIGIF) held in November 2023 in Malaysia.
The HRMN-99 variety, 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, has empowered thousands of farmers across India. NIF also supported its commercial adoption. Establishing apple orchards and providing training in collaboration with the State Agriculture Departments and the North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP) under the North Eastern Council (NEC). Ministry of DoNER, Govt of India to transplant the variety through the Northeastern states at large scale, resulting in over one lakh of saplings of the variety. Which have been planted in all NE states to provide an additional source of income to the farmers.
Shri Hariman Sharma’s exceptional innovation has not only transformed apple cultivation in India but has also inspired innumerable farmers with additional income and better nutritional access. Through his efforts, the apple once considered a rich man’s diet is within the reach of the common man. Recognition of his efforts through the Padma Shri Award, stands as a testament to the transformative power of grassroots innovations in addressing national challenges and creating sustainable livelihoods, aligning with the sustainable development goals (SDGs).