Meet Hariman Sharma, the visionary farmer from Himachal Pradesh who made apple cultivation possible in India’s warmer regions.
Traditional apples grow in high altitudes, but Hariman’s HRMN-99 thrives in tropical regions with temperatures up to 45°C.
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Hariman’s journey began in 1998 when he discovered that store-bought apple seeds could germinate in Bilaspur’s warm climate.
Image source: Santeri Viinamäki, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Using crab apple seedlings and plum trees, Hariman perfected grafting techniques to develop HRMN-99.
Image source: Guillaume22, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
HRMN-99 apple trees grow up to 12-15 feet and start yielding fruits within three years, making them highly viable.
Image source: Shadrack D Nantomah, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Farmers across India, from Delhi to Manipur, are successfully cultivating HRMN-99 apples, boosting local economies.
Research is ongoing to extend the shelf life of HRMN-99 apples, currently lasting 10-12 days at room temperature.
Image source: Freepik
The HRMN-99 apple is reshaping India’s fruit industry, ensuring a surplus for both domestic and export markets.
Image source: Jahangeer0094, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Government of India honored Hariman Sharma with the Padma Shri for his outstanding contribution to agriculture.
With growing adoption of HRMN-99, Indian apple farming is set for a sustainable and prosperous future.
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