New partnership targets 300 tonnes of annual fish production as company expands backward integration and traceability in India’s freshwater fisheries sector

In a move that underscores the growing importance of organised aquaculture in India’s food supply chain, DSM Fresh Foods Limited, operating under the brand name Zappfresh, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gohpur Fish Farmer Producer Company Limited to develop the Assam Aqua Project, a large-scale freshwater fish farming initiative in Assam’s Biswanath district.

The project, proposed across nearly 100 acres in Gohpur’s Jokapora village, is designed to create an integrated aquaculture ecosystem with an annual production capacity of approximately 300 tonnes of freshwater fish. The initiative marks Zappfresh’s second major aquaculture collaboration following its partnership with Varuna Aquatech and reflects the company’s broader strategy to strengthen seafood sourcing capabilities through closer engagement with farming communities.

The development comes at a time when India’s seafood sector is witnessing increasing demand for traceable, quality-assured products and greater supply chain efficiency. By building production capacity closer to source markets, Zappfresh aims to enhance sourcing consistency while creating a more transparent and sustainable aquaculture value chain.

Under the agreement, farming operations will be managed through scientific aquaculture practices focusing on fish seed selection, feed management, water quality monitoring, and harvest planning. The project also envisages the establishment of post-harvest infrastructure, including processing, cold-chain facilities, and distribution networks to streamline movement of produce from farms to end consumers.

Gohpur Fish Farmer Producer Company Limited, led by Chairman Anup Sarmah, will oversee on-ground implementation and operational management. The producer company represents a network of local fish farmers and is expected to play a central role in integrating community participation with commercial-scale production.

“Strengthening sourcing capabilities and building long-term supply ecosystems remains a key focus area for us,” said Deepanshu Manchanda, Managing Director of Zappfresh. “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, and we believe it offers the right foundation for building a scalable and reliable supply ecosystem.”

He added that the initiative seeks to improve productivity, raise quality standards, and enhance market access for local fish farmers while supporting the company’s long-term sourcing objectives.

Beyond production, the project is expected to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities across farming, processing, logistics, and allied services. Participation of women through Self-Help Groups is also being incorporated into the broader project framework, with the aim of fostering inclusive rural development and improving farmer incomes.

Industry observers note that such partnerships between food brands and farmer-producer organisations are becoming increasingly important as companies seek greater control over sourcing, traceability, and quality assurance. For Assam, where fisheries play a critical role in rural livelihoods and food security, the project could help narrow local supply gaps while opening new opportunities for value-added aquaculture development.

With consumer demand for fresh and responsibly sourced seafood continuing to rise, Zappfresh’s latest investment signals a broader trend toward integrated farm-to-market models that combine production, processing, and distribution under a single ecosystem.