How ICAR's Aqua Village model is raising fish productivity in Meghalaya

According to government data reviewed by Mint, carp production in Meghalaya has jumped from 1.5 tonnes per hectare in 2025 to 4 tonnes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s Aqua Village Model promoting quality fish seed, formulated pelleted feeds and scientific stocking practices.

New Delhi: An initiative to promote the culture of major carp fish species in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district appears set to emerge as a wider fisheries development model for India's Northeast region.

According to government data reviewed by Mint, carp production in Meghalaya has jumped from 1.5 tonnes per hectare in 2025 to 4 tonnes in 2026 under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s (ICAR) Aqua Village Model promoting quality fish seed, formulated pelleted feeds and scientific stocking practices.

"Aqua village represents the transformative potential of Indian agricultural research in addressing complex development challenges. Our focus is not just on enhancing productivity, but on building integrated, science-led livelihood systems that connect research with farmers, strengthen rural economies and create sustainable opportunities for communities," said M. L. Jat, secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General (DG) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

The Centre has pushed major carp varieties, including Amur common carp, Gonius and silver barb, with the aim of strengthening local fish production and encouraging sustainable aquaculture practices, according to two people aware of the development.

Broader priorities

The Aqua Village model also connects increased fish production with several broader development priorities such as nutritional security, livelihood diversification, women’s economic participation, efficient resource use and sustainable rural development.

In Meghalaya, where water is abundant but aquaculture productivity has traditionally remained limited, the science-led intervention is demonstrating how the same pond can deliver substantially more fish, better livelihood opportunities and a stronger foundation for rural entrepreneurship.

Implemented in Ri-Bhoi district in November 2025, the initiative combines scientific fish farming with integrated resource management and community participation. Roiland Mukhim, a woman farmer, has demonstrated improved fish farming productivity in her 1,000 square metre pond. "With better practices, we hope to reap rich harvest," she added.

One hectare equals 10,000 square metres.

Previously, her pond recorded a productivity of approximately 1.4 tonnes per hectare. Following a stocking density of 10,000 fish seeds per hectare and around 11 months of culture, the fish have attained an average weight of 450 g. She now anticipates a total harvest of 340–400 kg from the pond or around 3,400 kg-4,000 kg per hectare.

Enhancing production

Experts emphasized that the model aims not only to enhance fish production but also improve farmers’ income and livelihoods.

“Aqua Village is not merely about increasing fish production; it is about strengthening livelihoods, creating entrepreneurial opportunities for women and youth, and enhancing the resilience of tribal communities. It demonstrates how scientific innovation, integrated farming and local knowledge can come together to build a more sustainable and self-reliant Northeast. Based on its success we will replicate the model across Meghalaya and northeastern states," said Anupam Mishra, vice-chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal that works in close collaboration with ICAR in advancing agricultural education, research and technology dissemination.

The Aqua Village model of pisciculture covers the entire value chain, from pond management and seed production to harvesting and value addition. It involves the polyculture of Indian major carps alongside species such as Amur common carp, Gonius and silver barb. So far, the model has catered primarily to local markets.

Building on the initiative’s early progress, the plan is now to expand activities to other districts of Meghalaya and, across the northeastern states to help meet the Sustainable Development Goals relating to poverty reduction, food security, gender equality, decent work and responsible production.

"ICAR is committed to taking such scalable, location-specific innovations beyond institutional boundaries and making them an integral part of India's vision for a climate-resilient, inclusive and self-reliant agricultural sector,” said Jat.

About the Author

Vijay C. Roy is a journalist with over 21 years of experience covering various news beats across different organisations such as Business Standard and The Tribune. In the past, he has covered beats such as finance, auto, MSME, commodities, FMCG, pharmaceutical, agriculture, IT/ITES, infrastructure and start-ups. He joined Mint in February 2025, and covers agriculture, food processing, fertilizers, environment and climate change, bringing over two decades of experience reporting on farm policy, food inflation, crop trade, and rural livelihoods.<br><br>Vijay’s areas of reporting include food security and climate change policies, focusing on their impact on different stakeholders and their implications. His expertise lies in simplifying complex agri-economic issues such as edible oil import dependence, cotton and wheat trends, fertiliser subsidies, and climate-related risks. He has covered key developments including global supply disruptions and evolving trade policies, offering both macroeconomic perspective and field-level context. Known for his credible and balanced reporting, he follows a rigorous, fact-based approach that prioritises accuracy and context. He is driven by a commitment to public interest, aiming to make critical agricultural and economic issues accessible while contributing to informed policy and industry discussions.