Patharkhmah, Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya | 8 October 2026
A pond full of fish is a good start. But what happens next? Can farmers access affordable inputs, reduce losses, find better buyers and earn more from their hard work?
These questions are at the heart of the proposed Jirang Fisheries Cluster in Meghalaya, where 993 fish farmers across approximately 135 hectares of aquaculture area represent an opportunity to build a stronger, more connected fisheries value chain.
On 8 October 2026, the School of Livelihood and Rural Development (SLRD) and Living Roots Network (LRN), in collaboration with the Office of the Superintendent of Fisheries, Ri-Bhoi District, Government of Meghalaya, and with the participation of the Global Association of MSMEs (GAMSME), brought farmers and development stakeholders together at Patharkhmah for a one-day orientation and awareness programme on fisheries cluster formation and central and state government schemes.
Under the theme “From Water to Market: Learn, Connect & Grow,” the programme explored an important idea: better livelihoods depend not just on what farmers produce, but also on how effectively they connect with resources, services and markets.
The Challenge Goes Beyond the Pond
Fish farming comes with its share of challenges. High feed costs can eat into profits. Access to quality fish seed can be inconsistent, while transportation-related mortality can lead to losses before production even begins. Disease management, limited storage and weak market connections add to the pressure.
When farmers work individually, they may also have less bargaining power when buying inputs or negotiating prices with buyers.
A cluster-based approach offers a way to tackle these challenges together while allowing farmers to continue managing their own farms.
Through collective procurement, shared technical support, coordinated harvesting and organised marketing, farmers could explore ways to manage costs, reduce avoidable losses and build stronger relationships with buyers.
The opportunity is significant. Ri-Bhoi has nearly 5,000 pond-based fish farmers and ranks third in Meghalaya in fish production, according to the Fisheries Department, as reported in the accompanying newspaper coverage. Better coordination could help turn this existing production potential into greater economic opportunities.
From Individual Farms to Collective Strength
The programme explored how farmer collectives and the proposed formation and registration of Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) could help bring producers together.
Imagine farmers coordinating their input purchases instead of negotiating individually, bringing their harvests together to meet buyer requirements, or planning transportation around market demand. These are some of the opportunities a well-organised cluster could help unlock.
Discussions also covered scientific fish farming, farm profitability, digital records, GIS-based fisheries mapping, smart aquaculture, quality management, traceability and value addition.
The goal is to connect the different stages of the fisheries value chain, from quality seed and feed to production, storage, transportation and the final buyer.
Participants were also familiarised with government support mechanisms, including the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Meghalaya Aqua Mission, fisheries Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facilities and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY). Understanding eligibility, documentation and application requirements can help farmers explore relevant opportunities.
Better Infrastructure, Stronger Market Connections
A stronger fisheries value chain needs more than good production. It also needs the infrastructure to move fish from farms to markets efficiently.
A feed mill and cold-storage facility are planned for Jirang during October to December 2026 as part of the proposed intervention. If implemented, these facilities could improve local access to feed and provide better options for fish storage and supply coordination.
Jirang’s proximity to Assam also presents an opportunity to explore wider markets. With better aggregation, planned harvesting and reliable transportation, farmers could work towards meeting buyer requirements more consistently.
These facilities and market arrangements remain planned components. Their eventual impact will depend on implementation, effective management and farmer participation.
A Shared Vision for Sustainable Livelihoods
Chief Guest Shri Sosthenes Sohtun, Hon’ble Minister for Community and Rural Development and MLA from Jirang, encouraged farmers to make use of government initiatives and develop fisheries as a sustainable source of income. He highlighted the region’s potential in agriculture, fisheries and allied sectors, emphasising the need to bridge the gap between production potential and actual output.
Smti Meda A. Khongiliw, Superintendent of Fisheries, Ri-Bhoi District, highlighted the importance of moving beyond individual pond-based production towards a more organised business model. Bringing farmers together, she noted, could help create economies of scale and improve incomes.
For SLRD, this reflects a wider rural development priority: helping communities connect their productive potential with the institutions, services and market opportunities needed to build sustainable livelihoods.
From Water to Market: Turning Potential into Progress
The proposed Jirang Fisheries Cluster is a step towards connecting individual farmers with a larger network of resources, services and market opportunities. With 993 fish farmers and approximately 135 hectares of aquaculture area, it offers a promising foundation for building a more organised and resilient fisheries sector in Ri-Bhoi.
For the School of Livelihood and Rural Development, the larger goal is to help communities move beyond production alone and explore opportunities that make livelihoods more sustainable. Through collaboration, stronger farmer institutions and better market connections, the potential of local fisheries can be channelled into more viable enterprises and lasting economic opportunities.
Because when farmers grow together, the benefits can go beyond the pond, reaching families, communities and the wider rural economy.
