Israel Chemicals Limited (ICL) has entered into a strategic long-term partnership with BioPrime, an agri-biologicals innovator, to launch advanced soil and crop health solutions in India. The collaboration will leverage BioPrime’s proprietary BioNexus platform to bring next-generation biofertilizers to farmers nationwide.
For ICL, the venture marks its entry into India’s microbial biofertilizers segment, creating a new growth vertical while strengthening its sustainability credentials. For BioPrime, it is the first-ever commercialization of microbial strains from its BioNexus Library—converting years of research into products with nationwide reach. Industry projections suggest the tie-up could boost both companies’ growth in the biofertilizers segment by 10–20 times in the coming years.
Initially, the collaboration will focus on products that enhance Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE), particularly targeting phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn)—two of the most critical and expensive nutrients for Indian farmers. India, which consumes nearly 12% of global phosphate, remains heavily dependent on imports, with up to 85% of applied phosphorus lost due to soil conditions. Similarly, nearly half of Indian soils are zinc-deficient, a figure expected to rise further with declining fertility.
These solutions will help farmers optimize resource utilization, enhance nutrient uptake, and reduce fertilizer wastage—all while ensuring precision, consistency, and stringent quality control. With ICL’s decades-long presence and strong brand reputation in India, the products will be widely accessible across the country.
Renuka Karandikar, Co-founder & CEO of BioPrime, said, “Our mission has always been to harness the power of biology to solve agriculture’s toughest challenges. We consider our partnership with ICL - a global leader in crop nutrition- a very strategic and significant step forward. ICLs support gives us the scale, expertise, and reach to bring our pioneering BioNexus platform to millions of farmers in India. Together, we will deliver next-generation solutions that improve nutrient use efficiency, restore soil health, and transform agriculture into a more resilient and sustainable system.”
Anant Kulkarni, Country Lead, ICL Growing Solutions India, added, “ICL is committed to advancing sustainable agriculture in India with innovative bio fertilizers that enhance resilience, productivity, and soil health. With our unique, R&D-driven WSF portfolio, the integration of bio-stimulants into crop plans will undoubtedly help growers increase both productivity and profitability. We see bio fertilizers as a key driver of the future of farming—combining innovation with environmental responsibility to support India’s food security and growth.”
India currently spends nearly ₹1.8 lakh crore annually on fertilizer subsidies, a burden compounded by rising imports. Experts suggest that even a 2% shift towards biofertilizers could save the government over ₹3,500 crore each year. Against this backdrop, the ICL–BioPrime partnership is being seen as a timely move with both economic and environmental significance.
India’s biofertilizer market, valued at around USD 145 million, is expanding at a CAGR of 11.5%, driven by government policy shifts towards sustainable inputs and pressure to reduce subsidy dependence.