Shre Ram Krishi Kendra

I set up Shre Ram Krishi Kendra here in Ranakpur to help out the farmers in this area. It’s a different kind of shop because what I sell depends entirely on the rains and the time of year. Right now, I have stacks of seed bags and different types of fertilizers piled up in the back. Farmers come in and we talk about the soil or why the pests are hitting the crops this season. I’m not an expert, but I’ve learned a lot from listening to them over the years. The shop smells like earth and chemicals, which I’ve gotten used to. There are some tools hanging on the walls too, like shovels and sickles. It’s a lot of heavy lifting, moving those big 50kg bags around. My back usually aches by the evening. When the planting season starts, it’s very busy from dawn until late at night. In the summer when the ground is too dry for anything to grow, it gets quiet. I spend that time fixing the shelves or painting the front. Ranakpur is a beautiful place, but farming here can be tough if the monsoon isn't good. I try to keep the prices fair because I know how hard the local guys work. It’s a basic shop with a stone floor and a small desk where I keep my papers. I usually have a cup of tea with whoever is visiting at the time.