On Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein launched a range of local rice wines, known as ‘Adi Apong’, in Pasighat. The wines were produced by Siang Beverage Pvt. Ltd. and included varieties such as ‘Pijin Apong’, made from black rice locally called ‘Amkel’, and ‘Poro Apong’, made from fermented rice mixed with the ashes of paddy husk.
Adi Apong is a traditional rice wine of the Adi community in Arunachal Pradesh and has received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag, a recognition supported by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
During the launch, Mein praised Oter Ering Tayeng, the proprietor of Siang Beverage Pvt. Ltd., for her efforts in preserving and promoting Adi heritage through this high-quality product. He congratulated her for bringing the traditional rice wine to a broader market.
Looking ahead, Mein announced plans to promote Arunachal Pradesh’s unique GI products on a national stage, including a future GI festival to showcase local products from the state.
The Adi community has been brewing Apong, a popular organic rice wine, for generations. It is cherished across the Northeast and is known for its nutritional value and varying flavors. The commercial production of Apong, such as the one started by Siang Beverage Pvt. Ltd., is expected to provide employment opportunities for local brewers and youth, as highlighted by Tayeng.
The event was also attended by several dignitaries, including Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao, Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering, Pasighat East MLA Tapi Darang, Mariyang-Geku MLA Oni Panyang, and other officials.
