In an exclusive interview, 28-year-old Bendang Jamir, the Founder and Owner of Aor Coffee, shared his journey and vision behind establishing the coffee outlet in Mokokchung. Inspired by the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, which designated coffee as Mokokchung’s flagship product, Bendang saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between local coffee farmers and the market. He explained that his main motivation was to create a platform for coffee farmers to generate income and promote Mokokchung-grown coffee. “I realized that if the government recognizes coffee as Mokokchung’s primary product, then it surely has great potential. My aim is to provide a market space for our farmers and encourage them to cultivate more,” he said.
Coming from a science background with a degree in B.Sc. Statistics from Kohima Science College, Bendang initially believed his education had little to do with entrepreneurship. However, he later realized that statistics plays a crucial role in business development, helping him understand market trends, demand, and growth patterns. “I now believe my background will greatly benefit me in analyzing my business progress and planning future expansions,” he added.
Discussing the challenges faced by coffee farmers, Bendang pointed out that the most common struggle is securing a good market price due to a lack of consumers. He shared that the majority of coffee is produced in Khar Village and some other emerging villages in Mokokchung. He believes more villages should venture into coffee cultivation but are discouraged due to the lack of a reliable market. Bendang ensures that the beans he uses are specifically from Mokokchung-grown coffee. His goal is to promote local coffee and create a stable market for these farmers through Aor Coffee.
When asked about the challenges in setting up Aor Coffee, Bendang admitted that financial constraints were his biggest hurdle. Coming from a middle-class family, arranging funds was difficult. However, with strong support from his parents and friends, he managed to turn his vision into reality. Apart from finances, he faced minor challenges like sourcing basic materials such as lighting and machinery in Mokokchung.
Looking ahead, Bendang’s primary goal is to establish his own coffee roastery, allowing him to process Mokokchung-grown coffee beans in-house. This would not only reduce costs but also ensure consistent quality and taste for his customers. He believes that once people experience the rich taste of locally-grown coffee, the market demand will naturally increase.
The response from customers since the opening of Aor Coffee has been overwhelmingly positive. Bendang mentioned that day one itself saw a huge turnout, and the momentum continued on the second day. Although he hasn’t formulated any marketing strategies yet, he believes the quality of Mokokchung coffee will speak for itself and create demand in the market.
When asked about his long-term vision, Bendang expressed his desire to collaborate with more local farmers and eventually expand the reach of Mokokchung coffee. He is also open to exploring government initiatives or collaborations to further scale his business. However, his primary focus remains on promoting Mokokchung-grown coffee and ensuring farmers get a stable market price.
Bendang also had a message for aspiring entrepreneurs. “Business should never be about making money alone. It has to be something that benefits society as well. I believe when you work on something you love and contribute to your community, success will follow,” he said. Regarding competition with larger brands like Blue Tokai, Third Wave, or Starbucks, Bendang stated that competition is not his priority. Instead, his mission is to offer the authentic taste of Mokokchung-grown coffee and create a platform that empowers local farmers.
The grand opening of Aor Coffee took place on March 7, 2025, at the Third Floor, MCCI Building, IM Road, Arkong Ward, Mokokchung. The event was graced by Tsuki Longkumer, President of MCCI, as the Chief Guest, who also performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The event began with a dedicatory prayer by Bendang Jamir, Pastor, MTBA, followed by the proprietor’s remarks from Bendang Jamir, the founder of Aor Coffee. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest commended the initiative, stating that Aor Coffee has the potential to boost Mokokchung’s coffee industry and support local farmers. He praised Jamir’s entrepreneurial spirit, emphasizing that starting an enterprise and striving for growth reflects a rich mindset, while merely criticizing society or the government without self-improvement signifies a poor mindset. Longkumer further added that the MCCI Building aims to facilitate opportunities for local entrepreneurs like Jamir to pursue their ventures.
With “Aor Coffee”, Jamir hopes to establish a strong coffee culture in Mokokchung while creating a sustainable market for local coffee farmers.
