Arokya Oil Mill

The oil mill stays pretty busy most days here in Savadipalayam. If you go behind the Krishna Hotel in Gandhi Nagar, you’ll find our spot at 1/73 easily enough. It’s a bit of a dusty place but the smell of the pressing oil is always in the air, which we’ve gotten used to. We started this up because there was a clear need for it in the Arasampalayam area. Most mornings begin quite early, checking the machines and getting the seeds ready for the day. Kangayam is known for this kind of work, so we just fit right in with the rest of the town. People often stop by for a chat after having a meal at the hotel nearby. It is not a fancy setup at all. There are bags stacked up in the corners and the floors usually get a bit slippery from the oil, which is just how it goes in this trade. We spend a lot of time talking to the farmers who bring their crops in. Sometimes the power goes out and we have to wait around for a while, but usually, things move along okay. Our neighbors know us well by now. We don't have a big office, just the workspace where the real work happens. It’s loud when the motors are running, so you have to shout a bit to be heard over the noise. We like the rhythm of it though. It is steady work that keeps us occupied from sunrise until we close up late.