The Central Government has facilitated mutually agreed price of Potassium Derived from Molasses (PDM) at ₹ 4263/MT for sale by sugar mills to fertilizer companies for the current year.
PDM
- PDM, a potassium rich fertilizer derived from ash in molasses based distilleries is a by-product of sugar based ethanol industry.
- These distilleries produce a waste chemical called spent wash during production of ethanol which is burnt in Incineration Boiler (IB) generating Ash to achieve Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD).
- The potash-rich ash can be processed to produce PDM having 14.5% potash content and can be used by farmers in field as an alternative to MOP (Muriate of Potash with 60% potash content).
- Currently, potash as a fertilizer is totally imported in the form of MoP (Muriate of potash).
- Production of PDM domestically will reduce import dependency and will make India Atmanirbhar (Self-reliant) in production of PDM.
Muriate of potash
- Muriate of potash, also known as potassium chloride contains 60% potash. Potash is essential for plant growth and quality.
- It plays a vital role in the production of proteins and sugars. It also protects against draught by maintaining plants water content which in turn is a benefit for photosynthesis as leaves maintain their shape and vigor.
