Asia’s Largest Dry Fish Market: A Small Assamese Town Of Jagiroad.

We are all familiar with the concept of haats and markets that are held on a regular basis in a rural area. One such market exists in Jagiroad, which is located in the Mayong Sub-Division of Assam’s Morigaon District. Jagiroad holds the World’s biggest Dry Fish Market. Amazing, isn’t it?

Dry Fish Market at Jagiroad. Image Source: Wikipedia.

Assam, termed as the land of Blue Hills and Red River is the gateway to the North East. And where there is river, agriculture and fisheries are a common means of livelihood for the locals. Drying being one of the most commonly practiced method of fish preservation in Assam, and also being a traditional and primitive preservation method, this fish market tops as one of the largest dry fish market. Situated approximately 50kms away from Gauhati city, Jagiroad is a small industrial town in the Morigaon District. Popularly known for its largest Dry Fish Market, the town once also held a Paper Mill named ‘The Nagaon Paper Mill’ which was established in 1970 as an unit of Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd.

Studies trace the origin of the market back to the early sixties. Jagiroad is considered to be the center of fish culture hatching and manufacture of fish in Assam. Variety of fish comes to this market from all over India; Lucknow and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, Porbandar in Gujarat, Siliguri in West Bengal etc. Sea fish and fresh water fish like barb fish (puthi maas), bamla, misa The market generally operates three days in a week, i.e. Thursday to Saturday and about 500 tons of dry fish are sold in this market. Dry fish from this market goes to almost all the North-eastern States, as well as exported to Bhutan, Malaysia and other South Asian countries.

This dry fish market is the only major industry alive in the town right now and about 25-30 percent of the local population is earning a livelihood from here. The dried fish products available in the market are in the form of sun and smoked-dried. In present day scenario, the market has reportedly been growing every year and covers an area of about 30 acres. An interesting fact related to this market is that GST has never been imposed on them, but a considerable amount as income tax to the government is being paid.