The fertiliser mine to market chain has been hit hard in the last 18 months. Not only has demand for many of its main minerals evaporated as a result of tight credit for consumers, but government focus on food security of which fertilisers were some of the greatest beneficiaries has very much taken a back seat to the banking crisis.
Western governments, which were the driving force behind a push for a significant increase in global food production in the wake of a rocketing population, have turned their attentions to more immediate and pressing internal issues.
courtesy Lars PloughmannLast month the subject was gingerly back in the spotlight following protests in India against the introduction of a genetically modified (GM) aubergine (brinjal). The proposal was suspended for future consideration; however, the food supply problem in India will not go away. The country’s population is set to overtake China’s...