Jammu, Feb 11: Minister for Agriculture Production Javid Ahmad Dar today informed the House that 678 beneficiaries from Beerwah Constituency have been covered under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).

Replying to a question raised by Legislator Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani, the Minister said that horticulture cultivation in Beerwah spans 3,159.48 hectare, covering fruit varieties like Apple, Pear, Plum, Cherry, Apricot, Walnut, Almond and other local varieties.
He said that agricultural development in the constituency is being actively promoted under HADP and other government schemes. During the last three years, 30 bee colonies, one honey processing unit, one Common Hive Centre (CHC) for pollination and agricultural tool kits have been provided to the eligible farmers to promote apiculture as a subsidiary source of income, he added.
The Minister added that training and capacity-building programmes have also been organised to enhance scientific management of bee colonies. This initiative has improved pollination in agricultural and horticultural crops, resulting in better productivity, he added.
Responding to a supplementary question regarding leaf miner disease and use of pesticides and fungicides, the Minister said that SKUAST and other research scientists are working on addressing these issues. He noted that climate change has contributed to emergence of such diseases but the government and the Agriculture Department are taking timely and necessary measures to support the farming community.