The Agriculture Department has directed its field staff to draw samples of vermin-compost and various types of bio-fertilisers to ensure that farmers were supplied products of the prescribed standard. Director of agriculture J.C. Rana said the fertiliser (control) order had been amended to include azotobacter, rhizobium, azospirillium and phosphate solublising bacteria under bio-fertilisers and town compost, vermi-compost and press mud under organic fertilisers. He said specification for these had been prescribed and any person who intended to manufacture or sell such products had to obtain authorisation from the notified authority. Any person found selling or manufacturing these products without authorisation would be prosecuted under the Essential Commodities Act. He said about 4,000 quintals of bio-fertilisers were being supplied through various agencies. These were less costly and enhanced crop production by 10 to 20 per cent. These also improved physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. Bio-fertilisers also helped in sustaining microorganisms in the soil.