A number of programmes are being planned to expedite the production of organic fertilizers required for the Maha season, the President's Media Division said today (03). It stated that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has advised the officials to study the machinery required to produce organic fertilizer and manufacture machines locally with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Army Engineer's Corps at state owned factories, so that the balance requirement could be imported. Special attention was paid to the production of fertilizer at the local government level. The President had also explained the need to impart technical knowledge to these institutions. "The raw material required for the production of organic fertilizer can be conveniently obtained from the rural environment. This would preserve the cleanliness and splendour of the village while strengthening the rural economy network," the President said. Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage stated that the full quantity of organic fertilizer required for this purpose is expected to be produced locally and in case of any shortage, the required shortfall will be imported and stored by the Government. Minister Aluthgamage said that steps will be taken to launch a special programme to inspect the soil and recommend to release only the required quantity of organic fertilizer to the farmers and to provide necessary soil testing equipment to all Agrarian Service Centres in the country. State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa said that steps are being taken to provide the necessary technical knowledge to the farmers to produce organic fertilizer. It was also decided to provide a series of printed instructions to the farmers to make them aware of the use of organic fertilizers. The President officially handed over the soil testing equipment to the Commissioner General of Agrarian Services and the Director General of Agriculture. State Minister Mohan de Silva, Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera, Finance Secretary S.R. Attygalle, Secretaries and officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and line state ministries were also present at the meeting.