Potash

Why is in news? Indian Fertiliser companies sign MOU with Canpotex, Canada one of the largest Potash suppliers globally

In a significant step towards ensuring long-term fertiliser availability for the farming community, India’s fertiliser companies- Coromandel International, Chambal Fertilizers and Indian Potash Limited signed an MoU with Canpotex, Canada on 27th September 2022.

The MOU will reduce both supply and price volatility and ensure stable long-term supply of Potassic fertiliser to India.

Government of India has been encouraging the domestic fertiliser industry for establishing supply linkages through long term partnerships with resource rich nations.

Given India’s high dependence on imports of raw material and fertiliser minerals, these partnerships provide secured availability of fertilizers and raw materials over a period of time and also offer price stability in volatile market conditions.

Government of India is working towards long-term MOUs for Potash and other fertilisers with countries like Russia, Israel and others.

Aiming at reducing import dependence, Department of Fertiliser has included PDM (Potash derived from Molasses) in the Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme (NBS) scheme to support indigenous sources of Potash.

Similar initiatives have been taken fertilisers industries for manufacturing of Potash from Spent Wash.

Potash:which is source of Potassium is the third major plant and crop nutrient after nitrogen and phosphorus.

Elemental potassium does not occur in nature because it reacts violently with water.

It has wide application to fruit and vegetables, rice, wheat and other grains, sugar, corn, soybeans, palm oil and cotton, all of which benefit from the nutrient's quality-enhancing properties.

It is used both for direct application as MOP as well as in combination with ‘N’ & ‘P’ nutrients in NPK fertilizers.

India meets 100% of its Potash requirement through imports. The country imports approximately 40 LMT MOP annually.

Canpotex – Canada, it is amongst the largest suppliers of Potash globally, exporting around 130 LMT of product annually to more than 40 countries and has been one of the suppliers to India.