Gohpur Fish Farmer Producer Company Ltd will be responsible for the end-to-end ground operations of the project. | Photo Credit: ARINDAM GHOSH

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

The project is proposed to be developed across approximately 100 acres of land in Jokapora village of Gohpur with a target production capacity of around 300 tonnes of freshwater fish annually. The farming operations will be carried out using organised aquaculture practices with a focus on fish seed sourcing, feed management, water quality, and harvest planning. The project also intends to establish processing, cold chain, and distribution infrastructure to manage the movement of fish from the farm to the end market.

A media statement said that Gohpur Fish Farmer Producer Company Ltd 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.

Focus area

Quoting Deepanshu Manchanda, Managing Director of Zappfresh, the statement 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.”

He said that 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 said.

Published on June 12, 2026