Mallur Taralabalu Amrith Farmer Producer

We are based out of Shankaripur Village, which is part of the Byadgi area. Our main spot is at Ningappa’s place, and you’ll usually find a few of us sitting out front talking about the soil or the latest weather reports. Being in Byadgi, everyone knows how important the crops are to our lives here. We started this producer group because it made sense to work together rather than alone. It’s not a big corporate operation with fancy offices. Most of our work happens right in the dirt or in the small shed where we keep the supplies. We have to deal with the dusty roads and the long walks between the different plots of land. Sometimes the crop doesn't do what we want, and we just have to figure it out as we go. We don't use any complicated systems, just the knowledge passed down from our parents and what we learn by doing. The village is small, so everyone knows who we are and what we’re trying to get done. There’s always someone coming by to ask for a bit of help or to borrow a tool for the afternoon. It’s a busy life, especially during planting and harvest times. We don't have a lot of time for anything else when the season is in full swing. It’s just honest work in the heat, day after day, until the harvest is finally brought in.