India spends between ₹1.7 and 2 lakh crore every year subsidising fertiliser imports, and not a single tonne of potash is produced domestically. Every kilogram used on Indian farms is shipped in from abroad, exposing the country's food security to global supply shocks and price volatility.
The basalt opportunity
Beneath large parts of central India lies one of the most significant volcanic formations on Earth: the Deccan Traps. Basalt rock from this formation is rich in calcium and magnesium silicates, and — critically for farmers — contains meaningful quantities of potassium.
When crushed and spread on farmland, basalt weathers naturally, releasing potassium and other minerals into the soil over time. This isn't a replacement for all fertiliser needs, but it is a powerful, domestically sourced supplement that reduces reliance on imports while improving soil structure.
A carbon-negative fertiliser input
The same chemical reaction that releases potassium into the soil also draws down atmospheric CO₂, converting it into stable bicarbonate ions. This is the basis of Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) — the process Terrasols uses at scale through Project Nirmatva.
For India, this means a single intervention that:
- Reduces potash import dependency
- Improves soil health and crop yield
- Removes carbon permanently from the atmosphere
- Costs farmers nothing
It's rare that a climate solution and a food security solution are the same rock.
Manish Kumar
Terrasols Solutions Private Limited