Bendang Jamir, a 28-year-old entrepreneur, has launched ‘Aor Coffee’ in the third floor of the MCCI building, opposite HDFC Bank in Arkong Ward, Mokokchung. Inspired by the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative of the Modi-led government, which designated coffee as Mokokchung’s flagship product, Jamir aims to create a platform to market locally grown coffee.
“It struck me—why not provide a marketplace for Mokokchung’s coffee? If the district is recognized for its coffee potential, then the coffee produced here must be of great quality,” Jamir said.
This is Jamir’s second venture, following his restaurant ‘Food Garden’ in Mongsenbai Ward.
A statistics graduate from Kohima Science College, he has always been drawn to business rather than government jobs.
While researching coffee production in Mokokchung, Jamir found that only Khar village is a significant producer. He believes more villages should venture into coffee cultivation but are discouraged due to the lack of a reliable market.
“I strongly believe that more villages should produce coffee. However, without a proper marketplace, farmers feel discouraged. That’s why I thought—if I open a café, I can help farmers sell their coffee,” he explained.
Jamir emphasized that Aor Coffee will exclusively use coffee sourced from Mokokchung.
“I want customers to experience the taste of Mokokchung in every cup. That’s my goal, along with supporting local farmers.”
His entrepreneurial journey began during the COVID-19 lockdown in late 2020, when he started selling hand sanitizers. Despite being a graduate, he never pursued competitive exams, as his passion has always been in business.
Asked why he believes the coffee business has potential in Mokokchung, Jamir said, “Even though Mokokchung is a small market, coffee and beverages are popular among young people. I believe Mokokchung will soon catch up with the coffee culture.”
Financial constraints have been his biggest challenge. His mother, Akokla, recalled that he initially wanted to pursue higher studies, but financial difficulties led him to take a different path. However, she expressed confidence in his business and hoped that with the right support, it would flourish.
During the café’s inauguration, Tsukti Longkumer, President of MCCI, lauded Jamir’s initiative, calling it a bold step.
“A graduate willing to start his own enterprise and constantly strive for improvement is rich in mindset. On the other hand, merely criticizing society and the government without working to improve oneself reflects a poor mindset,” Longkumer said. He added that the MCCI building aims to provide opportunities for local entrepreneurs like Jamir.
With Aor Coffee, Jamir hopes to establish a strong coffee culture in Mokokchung while providing a sustainable market for local farmers.
The café will be open until 5 PM from Monday to Friday and until 7 PM on weekends.