This paper begins with the problems faced in the development of the inland fisheries sector in India. To overcome these problems, Fish Farmers Development Agencies (FFDAs) were established in selected areas of five states in the country. In Madhya Pradesh, where this paper finds its origin, the areas selected lie in the tribal heartland because that is where the best water areas were found. This paper seeks to show that the modus operandi of the FFDA is unsuited to the development of the tribals of the region. While the Project might augment fish production it is unlikely to be of immediate benefit to the tribals of the area, given their long history of backwardness. Far from deriving the advantage of food and profit' from fish farming, they might even be deprived of the use of their traditional rights over village ponds in times of water scarcity. The paper concludes by suggesting an alternative method of promoting fish farming in tribal areas by which the tribals at large would benefit from the increasing production of fish in their ponds.