Government Promotes Indigenous Potash Production and Alternative Nutrient Sources to Reduce Import Dependence

Key Highlights:

• The Government of India is promoting indigenous potash production and alternative nutrient sources to reduce dependence on imports.
• Initiatives include incentivizing Potassium Derived from Molasses (PDM), intensifying domestic potash exploration, and promoting potash biofertilizers.
• A subsidy of Rs. 345 per tonne has been fixed for PDM for Kharif, 2026, and it is included under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme.
• Geological Survey of India (GSI) has established 456.52 million tonnes of potash resources in Rajasthan and Punjab through intensified exploration.
• Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed potassium-solubilizing microorganisms for use as potash biofertilizers.

Detailed Insights:

• Potassium Derived from Molasses (PDM), a sugar industry by-product with minimum 14.5% potash, serves as an alternative to imported Muriate of Potash (MOP).
• PDM was notified under the Fertilizer Control Order (1985) in 2009 and inducted into the NBS Scheme from October 13, 2021.
• A Joint Working Group (JWG) has been constituted to monitor the price of PDM and ensure its availability to farmers.
• Domestic potash exploration by GSI is aligned with the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), focusing on Rajasthan and Punjab.
• Since the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Amendment Act, 2015, GSI has significantly enhanced potash resource identification.
• ICAR has identified specific microorganisms like Frateuria aurantia, Serratia liquefaciens, and Bacillus sp. to improve native soil potassium availability.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme: A policy providing subsidies on non-urea fertilizers based on their nutrient content to ensure balanced fertilization.
• Fertilizer Control Order (1985): A regulatory framework to ensure the quality, availability, and proper distribution of fertilizers in India.
• National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM): An initiative aimed at securing a steady supply of critical minerals essential for India's economic development and national security.
• Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Amendment Act, 2015: Legislation that reformed India's mining sector, facilitating transparent allocation of mineral concessions.