Why in news?
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.
Reference
The indian express - Potash
