Good quality soil is very important for better productivity in the fish farm. Some areas of Khasi and Jaintia Hills District were selected to collect soil sample and analysed to check suitability for fish farming. The soil analysis of the selected areas reveals that soils are highly acidic in nature and deficient in available nitrogen and phosphorus. Proper treatment with lime, nitrogen and phosphorus based fertilizers are required to enhance the productivity of fish farm. Soil texture of the study areas was found sandy loam to clay loam which indicates suitability of the areas for construction of fish farm.

Cyprinid fishes of Meghalaya were investigated from twin drainage basins Brahmaputra and Barak-Surma-Meghna. 27 cyprinid fishes under 14 genus and 7 sub families were recorded from rivers and reservoirs of four different gradient zones. The diversity of Cyprinid fishes was highest with 49% representation of Cyprinids at lower elevation Zone IV below 500 m above MSL and bio diversity indices estimated as H: 3.05, 1-D: 0.10. In contrary lowest diversity with 7% representation of fishes was observed at elevation 1501 to 2000 m above MSL in Zone I with bio diversity indices H: 0.25, 1-D: 0.57. Distribution of commercially important cyprinids under genus Labeo, Systomus and Cirrhinus were found to be restricted to rivers of Barak-Surma-Meghna drainage basin. Catch percentage of cyprinids indicates that 70% of fishes exhibit occasional occurrence and 30% as common occurrence. High percentage of occasional occurrence, low catch composition percentage and with restricted distribution of commercially important fishes to only certain rivers of Barak-Surma-Meghna drainage is an indication of depletion of cyprinid resources in the state and requires taking multi prong conservation measures to protect cyprinid fishes in Meghalaya.

The unitary concept of producing crop is gradually changing to integrated system, with a view to integrate different farming components viz. fishery, live stock, horticulture to produce fish, eggs, meat and vegetables from the same farm. The major benefit of integrated system is utilization of resources effectively and recycling of waste within the farm and thus, ultimately maintaining ecological balance. The state Meghalaya, located in the North Eastern India, is characterized by hills and plateaus interspersed with valley lands in the foot hills. People of Meghalaya are predominantly dependent on agriculture and allied sector. Fish, a very valuable source of protein, comprises an important part of the diet of local tribal people. As local wild fish supply from natural water bodies diminishing gradually and relatively limited aquaculture, fish production in the state is insufficient to satisfy the present demand of fish. The present fish production in the state is 4.77 thousand tons against the demand estimated 30 thousand tons per annum. The difference between demand and production of fish is providing a market opportunity for fish producers in the state. The present study categorized integrated aquaculture as an important and promising enterprise for rural farming sectors of Meghalaya to maximize their farm income, providing nutritional security and in general to achieve sustainable development in the rural economy.