Arunachalee Woman Entrepreneur Creates Sensation with Kiwi Wine 'Naara Aaba'

Tage Rita, a woman hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, has caused quite a stir in the world of wine with her unique creation, the 'Naara Aaba' kiwi wine. Transitioning from an agricultural engineer to an ambitious entrepreneur, Rita established her winery in the scenic Ziro Valley of the Lower Subansiri district back in 2017. Ever since Rita and her team have captivated wine enthusiasts from near and far with their exceptional products.

Rita has achieved a noteworthy accomplishment by becoming the first entrepreneur from the Northeast region to secure a deal on Season 2 of Shark Tank India.

She faced significant challenges during the initial stages of her venture to produce kiwi wine in a demanding mountainous region. She had to navigate through transportation obstacles and educate the locals about the immense potential of the fruit as a key ingredient for winemaking.

Rita shared that Naara Aaba embarked on a mission to establish market connections for the plentiful but underutilized kiwi fruits in the area. The farmers growing kiwis were struggling to receive fair market prices for their produce. Rita highlighted that one of the initial achievements in her endeavor to offer sustainable livelihoods to Kiwi farmers was successfully revitalizing the demand for organic kiwis. 

The wine production process is synchronized with the kiwi fruit harvesting season, ensuring that batches of wine are created at the optimal time. This four-month process begins by manually sourcing the fruit, after which it undergoes thorough cleaning, sorting, and grading within the facility. To maintain quality, the plant is equipped with a small laboratory that conducts tests to determine specific parameters. Based on these tests, precise amounts of ingredients like sugar and yeast are added at the appropriate stages of the process.

Naturally, the kiwi wine possesses a slightly tangy flavor since no extra sugar is included in the blend. Maintaining the natural taste while preserving the fruit's nutritional benefits is of utmost importance to her, rendering her wine a healthier option among alcoholic beverages and a favorable choice for mindful consumers.

Rita, a woman in her mid-thirties, achieved a significant milestone as the first entrepreneur from the Northeast to secure a deal on Shark Tank India Season 2. The episode aired on March 13, this year, on the Sony LIV channel.

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During Shark Tank India 2, two of the five sharks, Vineeta Singh from Sugar Cosmetics and Vikas D Nahar from Happilo, expressed their interest in investing in a winery. They proposed an offer of Rs 50 lakh for a 5 percent equity stake, along with an additional Rs 25 lakh as debt with a 10 percent interest rate. This combined funding of Rs 75 lakh would greatly benefit the winery.

The winery has demonstrated impressive growth, expanding its production capacity from 20,000 liters in 2017 to the current capacity of 60,000 liters. This expansion has been made possible through the utilization of 16 tanks. Notably, in its first year of wine production alone, the winery was able to provide support to 300 farmers, effectively reviving their kiwi orchards. This was made possible by the purchase of approximately 20 metric tons of kiwis from these farmers for use in the winemaking process.

The winery attracts a monthly influx of approximately 300 to 400 domestic and international tourists who come to indulge in wine tasting and explore the facility through guided tours. This has paved the way for the development of wine tourism in the area. Rita has recently expanded her production line to include the creation of wines using plums, wild apples, and pears.

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Rita's unwavering commitment to empowering her community through entrepreneurial endeavors has earned her recognition and accolades. In 2018, she was honored with the prestigious 'Women Transforming India' Award presented by Niti Ayog in collaboration with the United Nations. In 2021, the Union Women & Child Development Ministry bestowed upon her the esteemed Nari Shakti Puraskar, and she also received the Women Achievers Award 2021-22 from the state Women and Child Development Department.

Rita's achievements not only highlight her success but also serve as an inspiration to women across the nation, showcasing the power of determination, innovation, and community support.

Rita, a visionary entrepreneur, envisions the transformation of her winery into a cutting-edge facility, aiming to elevate wine tourism in the region while simultaneously empowering local youth through skills development initiatives.

At present, Rita's wine is available in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Assam. However, with ambitious plans to expand the winery's production capacity and introduce new fruit variations, she aspires to market her wine across India and even abroad soon.

Rita recalled the initial challenges she encountered when procuring equipment from external sources due to the poor condition of the roads at the time. She emphasized that the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh State Wine Policy-2015 took a considerable four to five years.

Through her endeavors, Rita is not only determined to elevate the winery's stature but also contribute to the development of the region's wine industry while creating opportunities for the local community.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu recently took to Twitter to extend her congratulations.

Pema Khandu tweeted, “Inspiring journey of Ms. Tage Rita from an agri-engineer to a successful entrepreneur. Her creation of the brand Naara Aaba has carved a niche for itself. Rita's venture will encourage many women to follow in her footsteps.”

Chief Minister further added, “Naara Aaba winery at Ziro Valley is a unique initiative, as it uses advanced and sustainable technology. This has encouraged organic kiwi cultivation in Ziro Valley and also created livelihood opportunities for farmers of Arunachal Pradesh.”

-PTI 

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