India’s growing population represents 40 percent of the world’s absolute poor. Its agricultural sector accounts for nearly one third of the country’s GDP and occupies two thirds of the workforce. With an increasing food demand and some of its regions, like the eastern plateau region, receiving very little rainfall, aquaculture has been very limited in meeting these challenges. Aquaculture research has not yet adequately addressed the needs of smallholder farmers in rain-fed areas of India, ranging from problems with development and dissemination of aquaculture technological innovation as well as ignoring the multipurpose nature of most surface water bodies and concentrated on systems, excluding other water uses and users. Yet aquaculture has so much potential to support the livelihoods of poor people through improved food security and income generation. Trials with small groups within communities in Eastern India have allowed for improved knowledge on aquaculture, more control over management and increased revenue and food security. Including it in a programme of farming systems technology development in Eastern India, which contains other on- and off-farm activities, has allowed for improved and more accessible usage of the practice as well as creating a platform for improving the policy-making process on aquaculture. More details can be found on the potential of aquaculture as well as its outcomes and its role in enhancing development impact.