Jaisons Seeds

Out here on Nagalapuram Road in Uthukottai Taluk, things move a bit slower than they do in the big cities. We spend our days surrounded by sacks of seeds. The shop at number 36 is simple and stays relatively cool because of the way the building was put together. It has that earthy, dry smell that you only get when you have thousands of seeds stored in one place. We spend a lot of time talking to the farmers who come in from the surrounding villages. They usually have a lot to say about the rain or how the soil is looking this season. We listen more than we talk most of the time. The road outside isn't too busy, mostly just tractors and the occasional bus going toward the border. We keep the floor swept, but there is always a stray seed or two hiding in the corners. Our routine is pretty much the same every day. We open up early when the air is still a little bit damp and start checking the stock. The Uthukottai sun can be really unforgiving by noon, so we stay in the shade of the doorway. We have an old radio that plays local songs in the background while we work. It is a quiet life, but it feels right to be part of the farming cycle. We don't need much more than a good crop and some steady rain for our neighbors.