Low-chilling apple variety developed by Himachal farmer
- A farmer from Himachal Pradesh has developed an innovative self-pollinating apple variety that does not require long chilling hours for flowering and fruit setting.
- This has spread to plain, tropical, and subtropical areas in various parts of India, where the temperature is as high as 40-45 ºC during summer.
- Shri Hariman Sharma a farmer, hailing from Paniala village of Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh has developed this innovative apple variety namely HRMN 99.
- NIF also provided financial and technical support for establishing and expanding the nursery, besides aiding the registration of the variety under the Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers Right Act, 2001.
- During further analysis and research, it was observed that HRMN-99 plants having 3-8 years of age produced 5 to 75 kg fruits per plant per year.
- It is bigger in size as compared to other varieties, with very soft, sweet, and juicy pulp and striped red over yellow skin colour during maturity.
- Shri Hariman Sharma has also been conferred a National Award in 2017 during the 9th National Biennial Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge awards by then Hon’ble President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan.