Recently potash reserve has been discovered in the Punjab region which is significant to reduce India’s import dependence and bolster the domestic fertilizer industry.
Potash – Refers to potassium-bearing minerals that are primarily used in fertilisers.
N-P-K – Over 90% of potash is used as fertilizer and it is one of the three primary agricultural nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium or N-P-K).
Indian Minerals Yearbook for 2021 – According to it, Potash can be used on all plants to boost plant health and nutrition as well as to increase crop yields.
Different forms of it – While all potash fertilizers contain potassium there are a number of different forms in which it exists.
Sulphate of Potash (SOP) – Among these forms is Sulphate of Potash (SOP), a premium potash fertilizer that is free of chloride (a compound considered harmful to plants).
SOP is used primarily on high-value crops, usually leafy plants, fruits and vegetables.
Muriate of Potash (MOP) – Contains some chloride. MOP is commonly used on carbohydrate-type crops, such as wheat.
Potash reserves in India – Punjab is now the second state after Rajasthan to have significant potash reserves.
The three mining blocks – With potash reserves are:
Kabarwala (Muktsar Sahib),
Sherewala and Ramsara (Fazilka)
Shergarh and Dalmir Khera (Fazilka)
In Rajasthan – Potash deposits were mainly found in the north-western Nagaur-Ganganagar basin, including the Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts that border Fazilka and Muktsar.
Auctioning rights & royalties – Although the central government has the auctioning rights for minerals, states receive royalties upon their extraction.
