Farmers in India are changing the way they fertilize their crops. The price of Potash in India has ballooned by 30% in 2011-2012, and usage on the farm has sagged by 23% in response. India, which imports 100% of its Potash, has seen its growers switch to UREA application saving some farmers up to 50% on their fertilizer costs. But Potash is not the only nutrient on the outs with Indian farmers. Diammonium phosphate (DAP) use is down as well and officials predict the 2012 growing season will show a decrease of 30-40% in DAP application.
The price of UREA in India tends to be more stable and about half that of Potash and DAP. Experts blame the falling value of the Rupee and increased import costs for the price spikes in DAP and Potash. In places like Madhya Pradesh, India’s largest soybean producing state, using UREA rather than Potash and DAP is helping producers secure their bottom line.
