HAU, IFDC to Develop Organic Fertilizer from Sugarcane Distillery Fly Ash & Spent Wash

Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University’s (HAU) scientists are going to develop an organic fertilizer from sugarcane distillery fly ash and spent wash with the help from USA’s International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC). The product will be rich in potassium and phosphorus. 

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the HAU and IFDC, in the presence of Vice-Chancellor B R Kamboj, research director S K Sehrawat, and human resource director M S Sidhpuria from the HAU, along with the country director Yashpal Sehrawat and Consultant Sai Dass from IFDC India. Dean of postgraduate studies Atul Dhingra, HAU media adviser Sandeep Arya, and Vinod Kumar, and Jayanti Tokas of the IPR cell were also present. 

Kamboj, Vice-chancellor said that “Sugarfed Haryana will grant Rs 7.5 crore to the collaborating agencies in the first year”.

 IFDC country director Yashpal Sehrawat said, “Haryana could produce 14,000 tons of potash fertilizer and 7,000 tons of phosphorus fertilizer. The first will account for 15% annual stock worth 27 crores, which will reduce the central government’s subsidy burden by more than Rs 30 crore.” 

“The HAU was collaborating with reputed global agencies to develop new technologies for the farmers. The latest fertilizer technology to be developed will be the best example of turning waste to wealth, while balancing fertilizer input based on soil health card, protecting the environment, increasing crop productivity, and improving farmers’ income”, Kamboj added. 

The HAU and IFDC are going to collaborate not only for research but also for education and the training of scientists and farmers.  

“Haryana had increased its inorganic fertilizer use by 68-fold in six decades, while the national figure is 12-fold. This has created an imbalanced NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) ratio of 27.7:6.1:1 in the state. The report put up on the social health card portal states that more than 90% of soils in the state are deficient in nitrogen, 56% in phosphorus, and more than 50% in potash. The state’s potassium deficiency has increased by 2.5 % from 2012, leading to soil sickness, a decline of soil health, nutrient imbalances, deteriorated groundwater table, and eutrophication of the water bodies apart from salinity and wider yield gaps.”