From the Abode of Clouds to the Land of the Long White Cloud

The entreprenuers got insights into sheep and beef farming in New Zealand at family-owned agri-business Morrison Farming in the Manawatū-Whanganui region

Nestled in the cloud-kissed highlands of Meghalaya, a state in North East India known as “the abode of clouds,” my business, Urlong Tea, began as a dream rooted in community, sustainability, and Indigenous knowledge.

Urlong, our patented flagship brand under Longsha Private Limited—a company I founded—is grounded in indigenous leadership and sustainable agribusiness. We don't just grow premium organic tea; we’ve built an ecosystem that uplifts rural livelihoods, preserves Khasi traditions, and celebrates biodiversity.

Our high-elevation tea garden in Mawlyngot, surrounded by 280 villagers, thrives on the resilience of a community that believes in nature and Indigenous wisdom. Urlong isn’t just tea—it’s the tea that transformed Mawlyngot’s way of life.

When I first heard about the New Zealand India Entrepreneurship Initiative (NZIEI), I knew this was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.

As a matrilineal indigenous woman agripreneur, I was keen to explore how global agricultural ecosystems function—especially in a country like New Zealand that values sustainability, innovation, and Indigenous heritage.

I wanted to learn, connect, and be inspired. From sipping tea at Zealong Estate to tasting honey at the Manuka Honey Experience, each stop in New Zealand deepened my understanding of purpose-led agribusiness.

Ribahun: "As a tea entrepreneur, Zealong felt like home—refined and deeply connected to land."

As a tea entrepreneur, Zealong felt like home—refined and deeply connected to land. At The Fresh Grower, I saw how data and hydroponics could scale sustainability.

Destiny Bay wasn’t just a vineyard—it felt like destiny itself. Precision, passion, and storytelling were all bottled into wine.

The manuka honey experience at Greytown Honey also stood out to me—the way they curated the honey tasting journey and celebrated the purity and potency of native ingredients was both inspiring and delicious.

At SPROUT Accelerator, I saw how vision and mentorship can empower founders like me to think bigger. I saw what it means to back entrepreneurs with more than just funding—with vision, strategy, and belief.

For a purpose-driven, Indigenous-rooted brand like mine, it was a powerful reminder that platforms exist to champion businesses that honour both people and planet.

Ribahun checks out a honey cone at Greytown Honey

What stood out to me most was the balance New Zealand agribusinesses maintain between tradition and innovation.

There’s deep respect for the land and the people, while also integrating cutting-edge technology, research, and export strategies.

Compared to India, where many smallholder farmers still face systemic hurdles and outdated practices, New Zealand offers a blueprint for what’s possible when policy, community, and innovation come together.

Meeting with Māori business leaders and local growers was another deeply enriching experience.

We shared stories, cultural connections, and mutual aspirations for empowering Indigenous youth through land-based entrepreneurship.

The group visit product and process development facility Foodpilot at Massey University's Manawatū campus in Palmerston North

As someone who comes from a tribal community, it was heartening to exchange insights into our tribal cultures and discover surprising cultural similarities. There’s something very powerful about seeing cultural identity celebrated within business.

Being part of this delegation also gave me invaluable connections—with fellow Indian agripreneurs, New Zealand mentors, and ecosystem builders.

We bonded over shared struggles, dreams, and a deep commitment to making agriculture future-ready.

The camaraderie within our group was inspiring—we came from different parts of India, yet united by a passion for change and resilience.

I returned from Aotearoa not only with new ideas but with renewed confidence.

The visit reaffirmed that Indigenous-led businesses like mine have a global voice and value. It reminded me that scaling our work doesn’t mean losing our roots—it means deepening them and sharing our stories across borders.

Ribahun: "Being part of this delegation also gave me invaluable connections—with fellow Indian agripreneurs, New Zealand mentors, and ecosystem builders."

To anyone considering the NZIEI programme: it is more than a learning trip. It is a journey that will challenge, empower, and transform how you see your work and your role as a changemaker.

I am proud to carry the spirit of this experience back to Meghalaya, where our mountains whisper stories of resilience—and now, of global dreams taking flight.

From one land of clouds to another, this journey affirmed that when Indigenous voices rise together, the world listens.

Ribahun Umsong is an Indigenous woman entrepreneur from Meghalaya, India, where matrilineal society shapes community and leadership. Urlong, her patented flagship brand, is a proud expression of the values upheld by Longsha Private Limited—a company she founded to champion Indigenous-led, sustainable agribusiness from the Khasi tribe, matrilineal hills of Meghalaya. Riba is passionate about sustainable agribusiness, community empowerment, and indigenous knowledge systems.

The Foundation's entrepreneurship programme supports emerging New Zealand entrepreneurs to build connections and facilitate business relationships in Asia, and supports Asian entrepreneurs to build connections in New Zealand.