Delhi
Indian Potash Limited (IPL), under the Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Israel Chemicals Limited (ICL) for the supply of Muriate of Potash (MOP) for 2022 to 2027 with a yearly quantity of 6-6.5 LMT.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers in New Delhi on March 21.
The documents were exchanged between IPL Managing Director (MD) Dr PS Gahlaut and ICL Global President Elad Aharonson.
Speaking on the occasion, Mandaviya said, “India and Israel share an extensive economic, defence, and strategic relationship based on mutual trust and cooperation. The agriculture sector in India has huge potential and provides ample opportunities to collaborate and innovate. India and Israel should work together in the field of research in the fertilizer sector so that it benefits the farming community.”
Mandaviya said that the Indian Government was committed to increasing agricultural production and the income of farmers with judicious use of fertilizers and sought the cooperation of the Israeli side in improving fertilizers use and using alternative environment-friendly fertilizers.
Congratulating on the signing of the MoU, the Union Minister said that it was an important step towards increasing the availability of MOP in the country. This will further propel agriculture production in the country, thereby improving the lives of the farming community.
It has been a matter of great satisfaction that ICL is also working with IPL in operating a project titled “Potash for life focused on achieving higher fertilizer use efficiency” with an aim to increase the income of farmers, he added.
Aharonson applauded the association of his company with India through IPL and stated that ICL would be glad to be associated with the efforts being made in India and willing to develop a deep association for improved technologies, logistics and application in the area of downstream fertilizers.
The Israeli delegation also extended an invitation to Mandaviya to visit Israel to witness various technological advancements made by the country in the field of agriculture and fertilizers sector despite their constraints of land and water.
Besides the officials of the two companies, senior officers of the Department of Fertilizers and the Ministry of External Affairs were also present on the occasion.