Scientific Collaborations

ICL collaborates with farmers in the fields, testing, learning together and disseminating knowledge. Joining forces with farmers, governmental organizations, academia and scientists is necessary to improve agricultural methods and to create abundant, nutritious crops. \

International Potash Institute (IPI)

International Potash Institute (IPI) is non-governmental and non-profit organisation with the mission to develop and promote balanced fertilisation. ICL is the leading member of the IPI and actively promotes its mission. ICL’s specialists are acting as IPI directors and coordinators. The coordinators work very closely with researchers, universities, government offices, extension services and local agribusiness.

150 field experiments and research projects worldwide

The IPI supports farmers, and those who advise them, by:

Contributing to the maintenance of soil fertility and the production of nutritious food by conducting related applied research and educational programs.
Disseminating and transferring knowledge available on the effects of potassium (K) in soil and its impact on yields, quality and stress tolerance in plants.
Collecting, analyzing and sharing the results and information on the effects of balanced fertilization to optimize the use of plant nutrition.

IPI has initiated two apps designed to benefit farmers.

The Fertilizers Research by IPI app contains a database with experiments and research papers on the optimal use of fertilizers for different crops, soil types, and growing conditions around the world.

The K gallery app from the IPI includes over 150 high quality original photos illustrating the typical response of various crops to the application of potash fertilizer, and potassium deficiency symptoms in leaves.

Agmatix

Agmatix is an agro informatics company that develops data-driven solutions for Ag professionals worldwide. Company’s platform uses agronomy data science and advanced AI technology to convert agronomic data into actionable insights at field level. Agmatix aims to solve the lack of data standardization to dramatically increase crop yield, quality, and promote sustainable agriculture.

2.1

By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.

2.3

By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land. Other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farmer employment

2.A

Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agriculture research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular, least developed countries.

Potash for Life - Sharing Knowledge with Farmers

Indian Potash Limited (IPL) in collaboration with ICL has launched Potash for Life project in India. The initiative’s mission is to provide farmers with science-based evidence of the profitable use of potash, using advanced, best proven extension methods. The project will help to raise awareness among farmers about the benefits of balanced fertilizer use and, in particular, the profitability of optimal potash use. Potash for Life project reaches isolated and remote villages and provides practical training on good fertilizer practices.

Potash for Life in numbers 2013 – 2021

23 agronomists around India
500,000 farmers reached by Potash for Life
7,000 demonstration plots
2000 educational activities with farmers

17.16

Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholders partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries.

HarvestZinc

ICL is participating in the HarvestZinc project, representing a social responsibility and global collaboration to develop well-known micronutrient deficiencies, especially zinc, in the human population.

The project, known as biofortification, is part of HarvestPlust initiative promotes development of new and nutritious varieties of staple food crops containing more vitamin A, iron or zinc—three of the micronutrients identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as most lacking in human diets globally—regular consumption of these innovative crops is improving nutrition and public health worldwide.

The project reveals the feasibility of a fertilizer strategy and its vast potential in alleviating deficiencies of zinc (Zn), iodine (I), iron (Fe) and selenium (Se) to positively impact human health.

The results of the first three phases of the project revealed the feasibility of implementing a fertilizer strategy. As well as its significant influence to alleviate deficiencies of zinc (Zn), iodine (I), iron (Fe) and selenium (Se), and their positive impact on human health. Phase 3 of the project demonstrated marked increases in iodine concentrations in rice, maize and wheat after their foliar spray with iodine, which highlights the great potential of agronomy (e.g., a fertilizer strategy) for agronomic biofortification of cereal crops with iodine like zinc and selenium.

The fourth phase includes extensive review of new fertilizer products. Plant protection compounds for agronomic efficacy in increasing grain micronutrient concentration of crops. Concluding with consumer acceptance and a market study.

3.4

By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

12.2

By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.