Zappfresh is building a new fish farming project in Assam

The company has partnered with Gohpur Fish Farmer Producer Company Limited to develop an integrated aquaculture project in Biswanath District.

DSM Fresh Foods Limited, operating under the brand name Zappfresh, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Gohpur Fish Farmer Producer Company Limited for the development of the Assam Aqua Project, a freshwater fish farming initiative in Gohpur, Biswanath District, Assam.

The partnership brings together a New Delhi-based fresh-food company and an Assam-based farmer-producer company to develop an integrated aquaculture operation in the region jointly.

Project details

The project is proposed to span approximately 100 acres in Village Jokapora, Gohpur, with a targeted annual production capacity of around 300 tonnes of freshwater fish. Farming operations will focus on fish seed sourcing, feed management, water quality and harvest planning. The project also proposes the development of processing, cold chain and distribution infrastructure for post-harvest operations.

Local implementation

Gohpur Fish Farmer Producer Company Limited, chaired by Anup Sarmah, will be responsible for the end-to-end ground operations of the project. The company is an organised body of local fish farmers in the Gohpur region. Their involvement in day-to-day operations ensures that the project remains rooted in the local farming community and draws on existing knowledge and relationships in the area.

Management comments

Commenting on the partnership, Deepanshu Manchanda, Managing Director of Zappfresh, said, “Strengthening sourcing capabilities and building long-term supply ecosystems remains a key focus area for us. The Assam Aqua Project is an important step towards creating a more integrated and sustainable aquaculture value chain. Assam is one of India’s most significant freshwater fishery markets with a large number of farmers actively engaged in aquaculture, and we believe this makes it the right place to build a long-term supply ecosystem. Through this initiative, we aim to work closely with farming communities and partners to improve productivity, enhance quality standards, and strengthen market access. We believe such collaborations can create long-term value for both the supply ecosystem and consumers while helping us build a more reliable and scalable sourcing model.”

Employment and community impact

“The project is expected to create direct and indirect employment for local youth in Biswanath District across farming, processing, and logistics functions. Participation of women through Self-Help Groups in associated activities is also planned as part of the broader project design. We aim to improve income levels of fish farmers in the area and contribute to reducing the fish supply gap within the state,” he added.