Dholka farmer uproots rose saplings earning Rs 1 lakh

Dholka Flower Farming:  Bhetawada village in Dholka taluka of Ahmedabad was once known for the cultivation of roses and other flowers, but today the farmers here are alleging that their crops are ruined due to chemicals and dirty water. Satish Makwana, a farmer from Bhetawada, who earns about Rs 1 lakh per month from rose plants, has finally uprooted the rose plants from his field due to the problem of chemical-laced water. The farmer claims that one plant used to flower continuously for 7 years, but due to contaminated water, the plants dried up in just two years, forcing him to stop this cultivation

  Farmers of five villages ruined

contaminated chemical-laced water has added to the woes of farmers of five villages, including Bhetawada, Trasad, Nesda, Paldi. The villagers have been agitating for the last 11 days, alleging that the contaminated water is damaging agriculture and groundwater. Locals claim that the bore water has also been polluted due to chemical-laced water and the incidence of cancer and skin diseases has increased in the area. The villagers are also claiming that 11 people have died due to cancer so far. However, these health figures are yet to be officially confirmed

flower cultivation ruined

Dholka's Bhetawada village was once known for the cultivation of various flowers, including roses. For years, farmers here used to earn their livelihood by cultivating flowers. However, now the farmers allege that the flower cultivation is failing due to contaminated and chemical-laden water. According to the farmers, the income from the cultivation of roses was up to Rs 50,000 per month. Some farmers used to earn up to one lakh rupees a month. But due to continuous losses in agriculture, now the farmers are forced to uproot the rose plants from the field.

farmers claim that earlier a rose plant used to flower for about seven years. But now due to contaminated water, the plants dry up in just two years. Fed up with the quality of water and the damage caused to agriculture, some farmers have uprooted the rose plants from their fields. As a result, farmers who have been dependent on floriculture for years are now facing a crisis of employment and income.

local farmers is that about 15 to 17 years ago, a canal was built in the area with the claim that Narmada water would reach the fields. A farmer claims that the farmers also gave their land for the canal in the hope of getting Narmada water and did not take compensation for the land. But now the farmers are alleging that chemical water and dirty water from factories are being released into the same canal instead of Narmada water. According to the farmers, chemical water from nearby companies and dirty water from Dholka municipality are poured into the canal. Locals claim that this water is seriously affecting agricultural land and bore water due to this water reaching the fields and groundwater.

Health is also claimed

locals, the impact of the water problem is not limited to agriculture alone, but its impact on the health of the people is also being seen. The villagers claim that the incidence of cancer and skin diseases has increased in the area. It has also been alleged that 11 people have died due to cancer in the five villages so far.