Betel Farming: Steel Plant Fight is For Survival & Income, Says Odisha Farmers

Dhinkia, a village in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district that is at the center of one of the most recent flashpoints over land acquisition for industry, is shrouded in fog and unsettling quiet. Residents had kept guard around the clock until a fortnight ago, obstructing the administration's access and protesting against JSW Utkal Steel Ltd's projected 13.2 million tonne per annum integrated steel factory.

Following a police operation on January 14, violence between the two sides erupted, injuring more than 20 villagers and 5 police officers. Since then, 17 villagers have been arrested, with much more hiding in the woods. A police force is still stationed less than a kilometre from the village.

Betel Vineyards-Crucial Source of Income

The fear of being moved from their farmlands and losing their betel vineyards (a major source of their income) is at the centre of the residents' opposition to the JSW project. The fertile land and seaside atmosphere of Dhinkia are particularly perfect for growing the cashew cash crop, which helps inhabitants supplement their income. This isn't the first time Dhinkia has objected to a large-scale industrial project.

The Complete Incident:

POSCO, a South Korean steel company, intended to develop a similar factory in the area seventeen years ago. Following 12 years of protests by Dhinkia villagers, it was forced to withdraw in 2017, with the National Green Tribunal subsequently withdrawing its environmental approval.

JSW later received the same land from the Odisha government. The company's proposed steel plant will require 2,950.31 acres of land, 30 percent of which will be purchased from Dhinkia, jeopardizing the town's economy, which is reliant on the sale of "Paradip betel leaves" across the country.

"Our families have relied on beetle vines for generations. The weather, sand dunes, and water supply are all favourable for betel production. "An industrial plant on the outside means our water will eventually be poisoned," resident Prashant Samal remarked. "They (the cops) are destroying our vines and leaving us to our own devices." This month's cost will be roughly Rs 30,000. "Who is going to compensate us for that?" he wondered.

"Even in the off-season, we can earn Rs 12,000 or more by selling betel leaves." "Our food has grown in popularity to the point where we don't have to travel to the market; the market comes to us," local Dilip Das explained. "What sets our produce apart is that we don't have to put in any additional effort or use any chemicals." Moisture, sand quality, and weather are all ideal for betel growing here."

According to Sarpanch Parida, "They have already demolished betel plantations in neighbouring villages, and now they are demolishing vineyards in Dhinkia," he claimed. 625 betel vines have been measured in Dhinkia, with 480 having been demolished so far.

JSW Announced Compensation

JSW has announced a compensation of Rs 17,500 per decimal (0.01 acre) of acquired land in their rehabilitation package, compared to the government's rate of Rs 6,000 per decimal (0.01 acre). It has also offered a bonus of Rs 50,000 for each betel vineyard demolished, regardless of its size. It also proposes that each household provide jobs for locals aged 20 to 30.

This has been rejected by the people of Dhinkia. "A one-time payment isn't even close to what we make in a month." "What happens next?" Samal wondered.

Another local pointed out that, despite cultivating their farms for generations, the majority of the peasants lack title deeds. "We've lived here for generations, and this is our home." If they rehabilitate us today, we will not be compensated since we will be classified as landless. This happens all the time after natural disasters," he added.

The crackdown has compelled 62-year-old Latika Parida, who was also at the forefront of the POSCO movement, to stay away from her house for a fortnight. She sleeps at different residences or in inundated farms at night, her leg and arms damaged. "These arrests are aimed to suppress our voices," she remarked. The cops believe that by using force, they would be able to defeat us."