Syllabus: GS-III
Subject: Economy
Topic: Agriculture and allied
Issue: Potash Derived from Molasses
Context: Sugar mills can sell potash derived from molasses (PDM) to fertiliser companies.
Potash derived from molasses (PDM)
- It is a potassium-rich fertiliser, a by-product of the sugar-based ethanol industry.
- Distilleries produce a waste chemical called spent wash during ethanol production.
- which is burned to produce ash.
- This ash can be processed to produce PDM.
- By selling PDM:
- Sugar Mills can earn additional revenue.
- They can also receive nutrient-based subsidies on it.
Aim: To reduce fertiliser imports.
+1 Advantage (Data points for Mains)
| ● Currently India is the second-highest consumer of fertilisers after China.
● India’s fertiliser import bill is huge.(₹2.2 trillion in 2022-23). ● The government aims to achieve self-sufficiency in urea by 2025. ● Fertiliser Subsidies: In 2022-23, the government spent about ₹2.55 trillion, a record high. |
