Apple farmers are a worried lot as the supply of bee colonies, pesticides, fungicides and fertilisers from the plains has stopped in the wake of 21-day lockdown in the country.

Farmers today urged Chief Secretary Anil Khachi to include chemicals, horticultural mineral oils, pesticides, fertilisers and bee colonies in the list of essential commodities as has been done by the Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab governments.

Sanjay Chauhan, spokesperson for the HP Seb Udpadak Sangh said apple farmers were facing an acute shortage of bee colonies, pesticides and fertilisers.

Laxman Thakur, chairman, Ecohorts, said the government should ensure safe passage of bee colonies from Haryana and the supply of fertilisers and pesticides as the flowering season had picked up.

Farmers said the Punjab Government had eased restrictions and ensuring the supply of fertilisers and pesticides to its farmers.

Rajeev Chauhan, president of the Himalayan Apple Growers Society, Jubbal, said they extend all support to lockdown, but request the government and the district administration to ensure the supply of fertilisers, chemicals and other horticulture items.

Director, Horticulture, MM Sharma said they had taken up the issue with the government.