Commercial cultivation of this apple variety has started in the low-lying areas of Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Jammu, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and , and the fruit set has expanded to 23 states and UTs so far.
The apple variety is called HRMN 99.
According to the farmer, growing apples in low chilling conditions is no longer impossible.
His claims were validated by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), an autonomous body of the Government of India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST).
NIF assessed the variety’s distinctiveness and potential by facilitating molecular and diversity analysis studies as well as fruit quality testing.
NIF also provided financial and technical assistance for the establishment and expansion of the nursery, as well as assistance with the registration of the variety under the Plant Variety Protection and Farmers’ Rights Act of 2001.
This apple variety is larger in size than others, with very soft, sweet, and juicy pulp and striped red over yellow skin colour when mature.