New Delhi, January 30, 2026:
Indian Potash Limited (IPL), a company best known for promoting balanced fertiliser use since the 1950s, is steadily transforming into a full-scale agri-ecosystem player through farmer-focused diversification. Under the leadership of Managing Director Parvinder Singh Gahlaut, IPL is expanding into rural warehousing, dairy, cattle feed, sugar and distillery operations, with the goal of supporting farmers beyond crop nutrition alone.
Originally set up to promote potash use among Indian farmers, IPL helped improve crop productivity across lakhs of villages for decades. Today, the company is building on that foundation to create an integrated, end-to-end rural support system.
Strengthening Rural Warehousing and Logistics
IPL is significantly expanding its rural warehousing network, leveraging its long experience in port handling and a nationwide footprint of over 300 inland godowns. This network is designed to ease long-standing supply chain challenges by ensuring timely delivery of fertilisers, seeds and other agri-inputs to semi-urban and rural areas.
According to Gahlaut, the initiative helps eliminate delays and inefficiencies that farmers often face, while improving last-mile delivery and lowering logistics costs. IPL currently handles around three million tonnes of fertiliser annually, reaching nearly six lakh villages across India.
Dairy Expansion Linked to Farmer Income
This logistics backbone also supports IPL’s growing dairy business, which processes up to 7 lakh litres of milk daily at modern facilities. Milk is sourced directly from village cooperatives and sold under the “Dairy Fresh” brand.
The dairy initiative provides farmers with reliable markets for their produce and supports higher rural incomes, while IPL continues to invest in value-added products such as ghee and paneer.
“Our dairy growth fits perfectly into our diversification strategy,” said Gahlaut. “It connects crop nutrition with livestock care and offers farmers complete, integrated solutions that improve productivity and incomes.”
Entry into Sugar and Distillery Operations
As part of its broader diversification, IPL entered the sugar and distillery sector in late 2022 by acquiring an existing sugar and distillery unit from Sakthi Sugars Limited in Dhenkanal, Odisha. The facility includes a 30 KLPD distillery producing Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) and ethanol—key inputs for the IMFL industry.
IPL has also revived five sugar factories in Uttar Pradesh, increasing their combined crushing capacity to 9,700 tonnes per day. These units, once struggling, are now operational, ensuring timely payments to sugarcane farmers and better utilisation of by-products to support local economies.
Cattle Feed for Better Livestock Productivity
IPL’s farmer-centric approach extends to cattle feed manufacturing, with plants in Sikandrabad (Uttar Pradesh) and Renigunta (Andhra Pradesh). Drawing on its fertiliser expertise, IPL produces nutritionally balanced feed that improves milk yields, animal health and calving rates—helping farmers boost their secondary income.
The cattle feed business works in close synergy with IPL’s dairy operations, creating a more efficient and cost-effective farming ecosystem.
A One-Stop Ecosystem for Farmers
Gahlaut explained that IPL’s move into warehousing, dairy, cattle feed and sugar follows a clear strategy: to evolve from a fertiliser company into a one-stop partner for farmers.
“Warehousing ensures quick access to inputs, dairy offers steady milk markets, cattle feed improves livestock health, and sugar mills ensure timely payments to cane farmers,” he said. “Together, these businesses reduce risk, build trust and strengthen rural livelihoods.”
With its expanding footprint and farmer-first approach, IPL aims to become a long-term pillar of India’s agricultural and rural economy, supporting food security and farmer prosperity for generations to come.
