The formal closure of Posco’s steel plant project in Odisha is seen as a victory of agrarian economy over unwanted industrialization and the betel leaf farmers of Jagatsinghpur are rejoicing, although those who lost their land face new challenges.
In a unique case of victory of the agrarian economy over
mineral-based industrial economy, betel leaf farming in the
Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha proved to be more dependable and
promising than the proposed $12 billion integrated steel plant project
planned by one of the world’s largest steel producer POSCO.