Tage Rita

Tage Rita: A Beacon of Entrepreneurial Excellence and Community Transformation

Tage Rita stands as an inspiring figure, an entrepreneur whose vision and determination have not only led to the creation of a successful winery but have also catalysed significant socio-economic development in her community. Her journey is a testament to the power of entrepreneurial spirit combined with a deep commitment to social responsibility.

Academic Foundation: B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering

Tage Rita’s academic journey laid a strong foundation for her future endeavours. She earned a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in Agricultural Engineering from the North-Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology (NERIST) in Nirjuli, Arunachal Pradesh. This specialized education provided her with in-depth knowledge of agricultural practices, soil science, water management, and post-harvest technology – all of which have proven invaluable in her wine-making venture. Her engineering background equipped her with the technical skills to understand and optimize the wine production process, from sourcing raw materials to the final product.

Naara Aaba: An Entrepreneurial Venture with a Social Mission

Tage Rita is the visionary founder of Naara Aaba, a winery that produces premium wines from locally sourced organic fruits. However, Naara Aaba is more than just a business; it’s a vehicle for social change. Tage Rita’s entrepreneurial drive stems from a profound understanding of the challenges faced by her community in the Ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh.

Prior to the establishment of Naara Aaba, the region’s abundant kiwi production suffered from a lack of proper market linkage and inadequate cold storage facilities. This resulted in significant post-harvest losses and limited income opportunities for local farmers. Tage Rita recognized this gap and envisioned a solution that would not only create a market for these underutilized kiwis but also uplift the livelihoods of the community.

Naara Aaba was thus founded with the dual purpose of producing high-quality wines and fostering sustainable development in the region. Tage Rita’s mission is to develop a range of world-class wines made from organic fruits while simultaneously establishing a thriving ecosystem that benefits farmers, skilled youths, and women.

Overcoming Challenges in the Alco-Bev Industry

Tage Rita’s journey as a woman entrepreneur in the alcohol beverage industry has not been without its challenges. Breaking into this traditionally male-dominated sector required immense courage, resilience, and determination. She faced numerous hurdles in setting up and operating her winery. However, with the unwavering support of her family and her strong commitment to empowering her community, she successfully established Naara Aaba under Lambu Subu Food & Beverages.

Wine Production: Quality and Sustainability

The wine production process at Naara Aaba is characterized by a focus on quality, sustainability, and preserving the natural essence of the fruits. The process is closely aligned with the kiwi fruit harvesting season. It begins with the manual sourcing of fruits from local farmers, followed by careful cleaning, sorting, and grading at the winery facility.

The winery is equipped with a small in-built laboratory where parameters are tested to ensure the right proportions of ingredients like sugar and yeast are added. Temperature control is crucial, and the wine undergoes cold stabilization at a chilling plant before bottling. To maintain the wine’s quality and prevent contamination, a filtration process is employed to remove microbes and harmful bacteria.

Tage Rita’s philosophy is to retain the natural taste and nutritional value of the fruits in her wines. For instance, the kiwi wine has a slightly tangy flavour as minimal sugar is added. This approach results in healthier alcoholic beverages that appeal to health-conscious consumers.

Growth and Expansion: A Testament to Success

Naara Aaba has witnessed significant growth since its inception. The winery’s production capacity has increased from 20,000 litres in 2017 to 60,000 litres currently, facilitated by the addition of more tanks. This expansion is a direct result of the increasing demand for Naara Aaba wines and the positive impact the winery has had on the local economy.

The winery’s success has also translated into tangible benefits for kiwi farmers. In the first year of production, Naara Aaba supported 300 farmers by purchasing approximately 20 metric tons (20,000 kg) of kiwis. This provided farmers with a reliable market for their produce and incentivized them to return to their kiwi orchards.

Naara Aaba has also obtained a license to export its wines from the Agricultural Produce Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, India. This has opened up opportunities for international exposure, with Naara Aaba wines being showcased in Shanghai and Greece through APEDA’s support.

Currently, Naara Aaba wines are available in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Assam. Tage Rita has ambitious plans to expand her market reach to other states in India and internationally in the coming years. This expansion will not only increase the winery’s profitability but also generate more employment opportunities in the region and further support the farming community.

Recognition and Accolades: Celebrating Achievements

Tage Rita’s exceptional contributions to entrepreneurship and community development have been widely recognized through numerous prestigious awards and accolades. These awards not only celebrate her achievements but also serve as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women.

Awards and recognitions:

Alumni of the 2022 Fortune 500 – U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership: This recognition highlights Tage Rita’s leadership potential and places her among a select group of women entrepreneurs from around the world.

Nari Shakti Puraskar 2021 by the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India: The Nari Shakti Puraskar is the highest civilian honour for women in India, recognizing exceptional achievements in women empowerment. This award acknowledges Tage Rita’s significant contribution to empowering women in her community through employment and skill development.

Women Achievers Award 2021-22 by the Women and Child Development Department, Government of Arunachal Pradesh: This award specifically recognizes Tage Rita’s achievements and contributions within her home state, highlighting her positive impact on the women and children of Arunachal Pradesh.

Women Transforming India Awards 2018 by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the United Nations: This prestigious award, presented by the Government of India’s policy think tank and the United Nations, celebrates women entrepreneurs who are driving significant social change. Tage Rita’s selection for this award underscores her role in transforming the lives of her community through her entrepreneurial endeavours.

Felicitation and Citation by the Hon’ble Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Brig. Dr B.D. Mishra (Retd) on 26th October 2018: This formal recognition from the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh acknowledges Tage Rita’s contributions to the state’s economic and social development.

Recipient of Vasundhara Award from Sreemanta Sankara Mission (SSM) Guwahati-2017: This award recognizes Tage Rita’s efforts in environmental conservation and sustainable practices, aligning with her focus on utilizing locally sourced organic fruits.

Awarded a pioneer woman entrepreneur of Ziro, Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh by Helping Hands, a Delhi based NGO: This award specifically acknowledges Tage Rita’s pioneering spirit and her role as a trailblazer for women entrepreneurs in her region.

Awarded Innovative Entrepreneur- 2017 by SMILE ZIRO, a renowned NGO of Ziro valley: This recognition highlights Tage Rita’s innovative approach to business and her ability to create unique solutions to local challenges.

Felicitation of and Certificate of Appreciation-2020 by the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Arunachal Pradesh: This award further acknowledges Tage Rita’s ongoing contributions to the development of women and children in Arunachal Pradesh.

CNBC-18 (A TV Channel with worldwide viewership) made a short story for the International Women’s Day 2019 for special telecast: This media recognition brought Tage Rita’s inspiring story to a global audience, showcasing her achievements and inspiring other women.

Certificate of Appreciation by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, 2020: This recognition from a youth wing of a political party acknowledges Tage Rita’s positive influence on the youth in her community.

AYA Award-2018 by Apatani Youth Association: This award from a prominent youth organization in Ziro Valley highlights Tage Rita’s contribution to the local youth community.

ANNYO Award-2019 by a village-based youth organization which works towards social harmony and protection of wild life: This award recognizes Tage Rita’s commitment to social harmony and environmental sustainability.

Nominated for 13th National Women Excellence Award-2020 by Indo European Chamber of Commerce: This nomination further acknowledges Tage Rita’s excellence as a woman entrepreneur on a national platform.

Community Transformation: A Ripple Effect of Positive Change

Tage Rita’s entrepreneurial success has triggered a ripple effect of positive change throughout the Ziro valley. Her commitment to using local resources and empowering local communities has resulted in significant socio-economic development.

Up scaling the Farming Community: Naara Aaba has played a pivotal role in revitalizing the local agricultural sector. The winery’s demand for kiwis has incentivized farmers to revive their kiwi orchards and establish new kiwi nurseries. These nurseries are now supplying bulk orders of kiwi saplings, contributing to the growth of the local economy. Furthermore, the winery’s diversification into wines made from other locally grown fruits like pears, plums, peaches, and wild apples is creating new income opportunities for farmers and promoting agricultural diversification. Naara Aaba provides a ready market for these fruits, ensuring fair prices and reducing post-harvest losses. The production of pears wine has also contributed to the revival of Salyo plants, playing a crucial role in preserving the region’s ecological balance.

Generating Employment and Internships: Naara Aaba is a significant source of employment in the region, particularly for school and college dropouts. The winery provides on-the-job training in wine-making, equipping young people with valuable skills and enhancing their employability. In addition to technical skills, employees also receive training in soft skills, further contributing to their personal and professional development. Tage Rita is committed to fostering inclusivity in her employment practices, providing opportunities for elderly women in the community to participate in fruit processing activities. Naara Aaba also offers annual internships and training programs to students from various colleges, providing them with hands-on experience in the wine industry and fostering the next generation of wine professionals. These interns often become brand ambassadors for Naara Aaba, promoting the winery’s work and its positive impact.

Building Wine Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh: Beyond its core business of wine production, Naara Aaba has also become a popular tourist destination.  The winery regularly welcomes domestic and foreign tourists who are interested in wine tasting and learning about the wine-making process.  This influx of tourists has contributed to the growth of wine tourism in the region, generating additional income for local businesses and promoting Arunachal Pradesh as a unique travel destination.

Recognition from Reputed Institutions:

Tage Rita’s entrepreneurial success and the positive impact of Naara Aaba have garnered recognition from esteemed institutions. The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong, a leading business school in India, has written a case study on Naara Aaba, which has been published by the IVEY Business Foundation. This case study will be included in the curriculum of top global business schools, showcasing Tage Rita’s journey as an inspiring example of entrepreneurship and community development.

Future Plans: Scaling Up and Expanding Impact

Tage Rita is a visionary leader with ambitious plans for the future of Naara Aaba.  Her future plans are focused on scaling up the winery’s operations, further enhancing its positive impact on the community, and promoting Arunachal Pradesh on a larger scale.

Transforming the Winery into a State-of-the-Art Facility: Tage Rita envisions transforming Naara Aaba into a state-of-the-art winery that can serve as a major wine tourism destination. This will involve upgrading the infrastructure, incorporating modern technologies, and creating an immersive experience for visitors.

Launching a Wine Academy: To further empower local youths and address the skills gap in the wine industry, Tage Rita plans to launch a wine academy. The academy will provide specialized training in viticulture, wine-making, and wine business management, equipping young people with the necessary skills to pursue careers in the sector. This initiative will also support the winery’s expansion by ensuring a skilled workforce.

Expanding Market Reach: Tage Rita is committed to expanding the market reach of Naara Aaba wines, both within India and internationally. This expansion will increase the winery’s sales and profitability, creating more employment opportunities and benefiting the farming community.

Promoting Arunachal Pradesh: Tage Rita sees Naara Aaba as an ambassador for Arunachal Pradesh, showcasing the state’s rich agricultural heritage and its potential for producing high-quality wines. She aims to put Arunachal Pradesh on the map as a unique wine region, attracting tourists and investors to the state.

An Inspiration for Generations

Tage Rita’s journey is an extraordinary tale of entrepreneurial success, social impact, and unwavering dedication to her community. Her achievements serve as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women, demonstrating that it is possible to build a successful business while making a significant positive contribution to society. Her vision, resilience, and commitment to sustainable development make her a true role model and a beacon of hope for the future.