Farming in progress at the polyhouse. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Feb. 11: Rasila Kothari (50), a floriculturist, is slogging away to meet the Saturday deadline.

The brain behind this mega project, along with 25 staff members, is taking care of 30,000 Dutch roses grown on one acre of land at Chandwe village, Boreya.

Kothari, in her farmhouse located 12km from the town, told The Telegraph: “This type of a set-up having polyhouse facilities is the only one in the eastern region where cut roses are grown in varied colours such as red, pink and yellow.”

“We are growing a special variety of Dutch roses that originated in Holland. After Pune and Bangalore, we have begun this mega project in eastern India,” Kothari said.

The project was started six months ago at an estimated cost of Rs 80 lakh with financial assistance from Allahabad Bank.

The specially designed greenhouse ensures a controlled temperature of 12-25°C, necessary for healthy growth of the flowers.

Unlike ordinary roses, which are grown in India, Dutch roses have long stems of about 10-12 inches, big buds, are semi-bloomed and have a longer vase life.

The cost of one stem ranges between Rs 4 and Rs 6.

This farmhouse, referred to as A.R. Farm, named after the husband-wife duo Ajit and Rasila, has been approved by the National Horticulture Board with facilities of drip irrigation, foggers fitted to control high temperature, packing room, imported fertiliser units which supply water soluble fertilisers and spray machines to destroy insects.

“Earlier, city shops ordered for Dutch roses from Bangalore and Pune. But now, we are not only supplying in Jharkhand but also to Patna and Calcutta. We also plan to export Dutch roses,” she said.