In a major push towards digital transformation, Sikkim’s heritage public sector undertaking Temi Tea Estate on Saturday unveiled its official e-commerce platform, aimed at expanding the iconic tea brand’s presence in national and international markets.
The online portal has been developed in partnership with MRC Agro Tech and the Sikkim Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (SEED) Cell, with support from the Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Sikkim. The platform will enable customers to purchase Temi Tea products online 24/7, ensuring direct delivery from the estate and reducing dependence on intermediaries.
Speaking at the launch, Ashok Singh, CEO of MRC Agro Tech, said the initiative aims to carry Temi Tea’s legacy into the digital future. Describing Temi Tea as a heritage product of the Sikkim Government with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, he said the brand deserves a stronger national and global footprint. He added that while teas from Assam and Darjeeling are well established globally, Temi Tea had long remained limited in reach despite its quality.
Singh further informed that MRC Agro Tech, a Bombay Stock Exchange–listed company, will manage the digital infrastructure, logistics, and delivery systems. Backend systems are expected to be fully streamlined by the end of February, and a publicity campaign will be launched shortly while retaining Temi Tea’s original branding and packaging, unchanged since 1967.
Ravi Kumar, Additional Director of the Commerce and Industries Department, said the estate earlier faced operational challenges due to a limited retail network, leading to inefficiencies in manpower deployment. Under the new arrangement, MRC Agro Tech will handle delivery operations, allowing Temi Tea Estate to focus on production and supply.
Managing Director of Temi Tea Estate Radha Pradhan said that despite its 50–60 year legacy, Temi Tea’s presence had been confined to a few Indian states with a limited global footprint. She noted that earlier reliance on third-party platforms led to issues such as lack of control over branding and pricing, which will now be addressed through the estate’s own website.
Independent Director of MRC Agro Tech Jainendra Baxi said the company had signed a memorandum of understanding with Temi Tea Estate three months ago, calling the initiative a major step not only for Temi Tea but also for Sikkim’s digital business expansion.
SEED Cell President Raj Lama stated that the initiative aims to preserve the uniqueness of Temi Tea while aligning it with the demands of the digital era. He thanked the State Government and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) for their continued support and stressed the importance of safeguarding public sector undertakings that function with public welfare at their core.
The launch event was attended by panchayat representatives, officials from the Commerce and Industries Department, and members of MRC Agro Tech and SEED Cell.
