This hatchery was set up in 1967 at Mostofapur union in Sadar upazila comprising 10 ponds. The overhead tanks and other installations were installed in 1984. But the Fisheries Department detected fault in its planning and design. As a result it could not be brought into operation. Fund shortage has aggravated the situation.

At present, the overhead tanks are inoperative. The ponds of the hatchery remain dry up in dry season. As a result, fish-eggs cannot be produced here.

There are more than 14,300 ponds in the entire district while the number of government owned ponds here is 58. The annual demand of fry in the district is about 500 kilograms. But only 210 kilogram of fry are produced here. The annual deficit of fry is 290 kilogram. Two crore 15 lakh fry are required annually in Shibchar, Kalkini, Rajoir and Sadar upazilas. The shortage is 1 crore 2 lakh and 31 hundred fry.

At present, farmers have to procure fry from Jessore, Satkhira, Bagerhat and Jhenidah. But the farmers are often cheated as fry procured from the districts are often mixed with sub-standard fry, farmers alleged.

Farmers have urged the authorities concerned to allot required fund so that the hatchery can be brought into operation after rectifying faults in plan and design.