Hariman Sharma revolutionizes apple farming in India

New Delhi: The Government of India on Republic Day 2025 unveiled the names of the Padma Awards winners for their remarkable contributions in their respective fields. Hariman Sharma, a 68-year-old apple farmer from Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, was among them; his name was announced in this year’s Padma Shri winners for bringing innovation in apple farming. He is famous as “Seb Samrat” (Apple King).

He revolutionized apple farming in India. It was a common perception that apples could be grown only in frigid temperatures and at high-altitude regions. Hariman Sharma was a man with different thinking; he developed a new variety of apple called HRMN 99, which can be grown at just 1,800 feet above sea level, and this special apple tree flourishes in 40°C to 46°C temperature, providing a chance to apple farmers to grow in several new areas.

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HRMN 99 apples are large in size, delicious in taste as well, maturing early by June, so that farmers can sell them at better prices before the arrival of traditional apples in the market. Currently, above one lakh farmers across the country are cultivating the HRMN variety. The National Innovation Foundation has planted 33,000 HRMN 99 trees all over the country. This variety reaches in other countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Zambia, and Germany.

Hariman Sharma has been successfully growing other fruits: mango, kiwi, and pomegranate on his farm. He has penned a new chapter on how to increase income through diverse farming and sustainable agricultural practices.

Padma Shri has added another feather in his big cap. Earlier, he bagged numerous awards from district level to state level, including the ‘Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Award in 2017’ (presented by that time President Pranab Mukherjee).