On this valentine day, Gujarat’s rose farmers have deserted the endemic varieties stopped and they have started cultivating the Kashmir rose.
The reason they have cited for the abrupt change over has nothing to do with abundant special status.Instead, it is money that matters. They have said Kashmiri rose has more fragrance and longer shelf life, almost and indicative of Kashmir itself.
Hundreds of farmers in and around Vadodara village of Gujarat have been seen growing this special breed of Kashmiri roses for the past few years, reported The Times Of India.
The roses have not just reduced farmers’ hard labour but also helped them double their income, said the report.
“I used to plant ‘desi’ rose varieties for years. But a few years ago, I learnt about the Kashmiri roses that last longer and also fetch almost double the price. So I began growing these roses,” The Times Of India quoted Vishal Patel, a farmer from Bil village in Padra as having said.
“Over the last five years, my income has gone up considerably. I now sow only Kashmiri roses round the year. Many farmers in my village have also started planting Kashmiri roses after they saw the benefits,” Patel said, adding that he ships his roses to Mumbai and Bengaluru where these are in great demand.
Kashmiri roses are grown mainly in the villages of Karjan taluka including Deroli, Ranapur, Kothiya, Nanikoral and Motikoral, said the report.
“Life of a local variety of rose is just 10 to 12 hours but the Kashmiri roses last for two to three days. Also, the growers get almost double the price by selling the Kashmiri roses that require no additional cost,” The Times Of India quoted Yogesh Patel, horticulture officer, Vadodara as saying.
Local farmers also say that plucking Kashmiri roses is also far easier.
“Desi roses have to be plucked in the night and transported immediately to the markets before dawn. Kashmiri roses can be plucked in the daytime and sent to the markets even on the next day. Unlike the thorny stems of local rose, Kashmiri rose plants are not thorny which makes it easier for plucking,” The Times Of India quoted Patel as having said.
This valentine day Gujarat deserts embraces Kashmir rose, says it fetches huge cash
