Padma Shri Hariman Sharma: The Story of the Apple Man of India


Padma Shri Hariman Sharma: The Story of the Apple Man of India

The HRMN-99 variety, known for its striped red-and-yellow exterior, tender and juicy flesh, and its capacity to yield up to 75 kg of fruit per plant each year, has enabled thousands of farmers across India to thrive.
 
Padma Shri Hariman Sharma: The Story of the Apple Man of India

Hariman Sharma, an innovative farmer from Himachal Pradesh, has received the Padma Shri, India's highest civilian honor, for his groundbreaking contributions to agriculture. He created a unique, self-pollinating apple variety known as HRMN – 99, which has transformed apple farming in the nation and made this nutritious fruit more accessible geographically and economically.

In contrast to commercial apple varieties that necessitate temperate conditions and long chilling hours, HRMN-99 flourishes in tropical, sub-tropical, and flat regions that experience summer temperatures of 40-45°C, allowing apple cultivation in areas once deemed unsuitable.

Journey

Having lost his parents at a young age, Hariman Sharma’s remarkable journey from the narrow paths of his small village Paniala in Bilaspur (HP) to the prestigious halls of Rashtrapati Bhavan serves as an inspiration not just for farmers, but also for students, researchers, and horticulturists across India. Overcoming significant challenges, Shri Sharma completed his matriculation and pursued his enthusiasm for farming and pomology.

HRMN-99 Apple

The inception of the HRMN-99 apple variety took place in 1998 when Hariman Sharma sowed seeds from discarded apples intended for household use in his garden. To his astonishment, one seed sprouted the following year, and by 2001, the plant bore fruit despite the warm conditions of Paniala, located at a height of 1,800 feet. Acknowledging its potential, he devoted care to the original plant and propagated it through grafting, ultimately creating a successful apple orchard. Throughout the next ten years, he dedicated himself to growing his orchards by testing various scions, grafting methods, and refining his innovative apple type. Although he tried to share this advancement with regions experiencing similar climates, his efforts initially received minimal recognition from both agricultural and scientific circles.

The HRMN-99 variety, known for its striped red-and-yellow exterior, tender and juicy flesh, and its capacity to yield up to 75 kg of fruit per plant each year, has enabled thousands of farmers across India to thrive. The National Innovation Foundation (NIF) also facilitated its commercial uptake by establishing apple orchards and offering training in partnership with the State Agriculture Departments and the North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP) under the North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of DoNER, Government of India, leading to the large-scale transplantation of this variety across the northeastern states. As a result, over one lakh saplings of this variety have been planted throughout all the northeastern states, providing farmers with an additional source of income.

Padma Shri Hariman Sharma: The Story of the Apple Man of India

Innovation Spreads of Multiple States

In 2012, the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India, a self-governing body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, identified this innovation. NIF confirmed the uniqueness of the variety and aided its validation by conducting molecular analysis, fruit quality assessments, and multi-location trials in collaboration with ICAR institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), agricultural universities, state agriculture departments, farmers, and volunteers nationwide. Due to these cooperative efforts, the variety has spread to 29 states and Union Territories, 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, and has also been planted at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Additionally, NIF facilitated the variety's registration with the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority, New Delhi.

National Award in 2017

For his innovative work, Hariman Sharma was awarded the National Award in 2017 during the 9th National Biennial Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Awards by then Hon’ble President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. He has also received numerous honors, including the National Innovative Farmer Award from the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry, GoI (2016), IARI Fellow Award (2017), Kisan Vaigyanik Upadhi from DDG, ICAR (2017), National Best Farmer Award (2018), Rashtriya Krishak Samrat Samman (2018), Jagjivan Ram Krishi Abhinav Award (2019), along with several state and central government commendations. Furthermore, he represented India at the 4th ASEAN India Grassroots Innovation Forum (AIGIF) held in Malaysia in November 2023.

Hariman Sharma’s remarkable innovation has not only revolutionized apple farming in India but has also motivated countless farmers by enhancing their income and nutritional access. His efforts have made apples, once deemed a luxury for the wealthy, accessible to the average person. His recognition through the Padma Shri Award highlights the impactful nature of grassroots innovations in tackling national issues and fostering sustainable livelihoods, which aligns with the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

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