From the lush, mist-covered hills of Nagaland comes a premium brew that carries not only rich aroma and strong flavour but also a mission to uplift lives. Behind this initiative stands ATOQA Tea Producer Company, a home-grown enterprise that has been quietly shaping Nagaland’s tea industry since its establishment in 2019 at Nikhekhu village under Niuland District.
Marketed under the brand name Nagaland Gold, ATOQA’s tea is crafted from carefully handpicked leaves sourced exclusively from the state’s fertile plantations. With its signature robust taste and natural health benefits, including immunity boosting and aiding digestion, Nagaland Gold is fast becoming a symbol of both quality and identity.
The company currently works with 155 registered small tea growers spread across 12 villages and 700 acres of tea plantations, ensuring that production remains entirely local and sustainable. With a production capacity of 65 lakh CTC kilos per year, ATOQA guarantees a steady supply of fresh tea while creating opportunities for farmers and rural communities.
Speaking to Nagaland Tribune, Pikuto K Sumi, Marketing and Customer Relations Executive of ATOQA, shared the passion behind the brand. Born and raised in Nagaland and belonging to the Sumi community, Pikuto has always felt deeply connected to the state’s natural wealth.
“Nagaland has some of the finest tea gardens with naturally grown, handpicked leaves, yet they remain less known to the wider world,” Pikuto said. “I wanted to create a brand that not only delivers premium quality tea but also highlights the unique identity of Nagaland.”
“The benefits of Nagaland Gold tea include its rich aroma and strong, refreshing flavour, along with notable health advantages such as boosting immunity and aiding digestion. The tea is 100% locally sourced and produced in Nagaland, ensuring freshness, authenticity, and premium quality in every cup,” he claimed.
Challenges and Determination
Despite its promising growth, ATOQA faces significant challenges. “One of the main hurdles is limited awareness and exposure for Nagaland’s tea industry compared to bigger states. Logistics and market access are also difficult due to our region’s remoteness,” Pikuto admitted. “But these challenges motivate us to push harder to put Nagaland on the tea map of India,” he added.
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Pikuto explained that the company’s vision goes beyond selling tea. “Our goal is to improve the livelihood of farmers and create job opportunities. GNG surveyed the surrounding villages in Dimapur and found tea plantations in abundance. We aim to provide opportunities to the women community, especially organized groups like Self Help Groups (SHGs), to become self-sustaining, grow economically, and achieve independence so that they can contribute positively to society,” he stated.
Looking ahead, ATOQA aims to expand the reach of Nagaland Gold to larger national and international markets, while introducing innovative tea-based products. The company also plans to create more employment opportunities for local youth, all while maintaining its eco-friendly, natural approach to tea production.
Pikuto highlighted that every step of the production process is carefully monitored to maintain consistency and authenticity. “Our tea leaves are handpicked from Nagaland’s lush gardens and processed using modern technology to preserve their natural flavour and aroma,” he explained.
With its blend of tradition, quality, and community empowerment, ATOQA Tea Producer Company is proving that Nagaland’s “gold” lies not just in its hills, but also in every cup of tea that sustains lives and carries the story of the land to the world.
