The Power of Potash

What farmer would not want an increase in yield? Yield boosts of at least 10-15% and sometimes much more are happening in India by carefully giving the correct nutrition or fertilizer the crops need.

Reporting from India, Dr Surinder Bansal, agronomists, scientists, farm advisors and farmers explain the power potash has to improve plant growth and health, resistance to drought and pest and disease attack and – very importantly – the quantity and quality of the harvest.

Crops such as sugar cane, soybean, rice, brassicas and tomatoes are all mentioned as examples where the power of potash has made a big difference. Not surprisingly the demand in India for potash fertilizer is increasing as more and more farmers want the boost this input can give to their businesses.

From the field

Uncle and nephew, Prakash and Akash Bodke, were delighted to take part in this film to show the power of potash. They farm in the village of Dhakambe in Maharashtra. They continue to build their family business supplying top quality tomatoes, cabbages and other fresh produce to the local and regional markets.

Prakash Bodke: “I admit at the start I was nervous about being filmed. But then I realised that I just had to explain what I see from using potash fertilizer. It’s great to share good ideas. That’s why I have a demonstration plot here on our farm. I was happy to run it with advice from the Potash for Life agronomist Vaibhav Mohod.

The results are amazing: fruit size of tomatoes is bigger, the yield is 2.5 tonnes higher at about 15 tonnes per acre, and buying the correct amount of potash I am reducing my spending on pesticide. I enjoyed being in the film and I hope viewers enjoy it.”

Akash Bodke: “As a young man, I am pleased to join the family farming business. For a time I was interested in doing other work. But then I decided to join my uncle and his two brothers in this farm. We are interested in new technology and new ideas to make the business better.

I was really interested to see the demo plot and the difference that potash fertilizer made. We tried it with a small area of brassicas and quickly decided to use it on the whole crop. These are challenging times – with climate change and tough prices in the market – so if we can produce very good quality we are going to be in a stronger position and continue to invest in expanding the business. That’s exciting.”