Zappfresh inks agreement to develop Assam Aqua Project in Gohpur.

DSM Fresh Foods Limited, which operates under the brand Zappfresh, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gohpur Fish Farmer Producer Company Limited for the development of the Assam Aqua Project, a freshwater aquaculture initiative in Gohpur in the Biswanath district of Assam.

The partnership brings together the New Delhi-based fresh food company and the Assam-based farmer producer organisation to jointly develop an integrated aquaculture operation aimed at strengthening organised fish production in the region. The proposed project will be developed over approximately 100 acres of land in Village Jokapora, Gohpur, with an annual target output of around 300 tonnes of freshwater fish.

This initiative marks the company’s second aquaculture collaboration, following its earlier partnership with Varuna Aquatech, and is expected to further expand its seafood sourcing network. The project will follow structured aquaculture practices, including fish seed sourcing, feed management, water quality monitoring, and harvest planning. It also envisions the development of post-harvest infrastructure such as processing units, cold storage, and distribution systems to support supply chain efficiency from farm to market.

Gohpur Fish Farmer Producer Company Limited, chaired by Anup Sarmah, will handle end-to-end on-ground operations. The organisation represents local fish farmers in the region, ensuring community participation and the integration of local expertise into the project’s execution.

According to Deepanshu Manchanda, Managing Director of Zappfresh, the initiative is aimed at strengthening sourcing capabilities and building a more integrated and sustainable aquaculture value chain. He noted that Assam’s large freshwater fish farming ecosystem makes it a strategic location for long-term supply development, with a focus on improving productivity, quality standards, and market access.

The project is expected to generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities in Biswanath district across farming, processing, and logistics activities. It also plans to encourage participation of women through Self-Help Groups in allied functions as part of its broader social impact framework, while aiming to improve farmer incomes and reduce the fish supply gap within the state.

Zappfresh said it continues to explore partnerships across key food categories to develop a more organised and efficient supply chain ecosystem.