C. M. Chatrad

Our shop is right in the A. P. M. C. Yard in Byadhi. If you’ve ever been to Byadhi, you know it’s all about the chilies. The whole place smells like spice and there’s red dust everywhere when the wind blows. We spend our days right in the middle of the auction action. It’s loud and busy and everyone is shouting over each other to get the best price for their bags. We handle the trading and the movement of goods from the farms to the market. We don't have a fancy office with air conditioning or nice chairs. We have a small space in the yard where we keep our books and wait for the trucks to arrive in the morning. It’s a hard way to earn a living sometimes, especially when the market is slow or the weather is too humid and hot. But we’ve been doing this for a long time now. We know the rhythms of the yard and we know who to trust and who to avoid. We don't put on any acts for anyone. What you see is what you get. Just a bunch of guys working in the spice trade, trying to make sure the quality is decent and the bags are weighed right. It’s not a corporate life by any means. It’s dusty, it’s loud, and it’s a lot of work, but it’s what we know. We’re just part of the furniture here in the yard.