A key ingredient in fertilizer used to grow crops, potash is needed worldwide as agriculture grows more and more complex. With 828 million people facing hunger worldwide as noted by the United Nations in 2022, boosting food production is vital. But a reliance on foreign supplies of critical inputs like potash could be problematic.

Brazil is largely dependent on international exports of this vital mineral for crop production. The brazil potash Project in the state of Amazonas could help Brazil become less vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and lower costs for its agricultural sector by bringing this resource into domestic production.

Sustainable Farming Practices: Potash and Brazil’s Environmental Future

But the company’s efforts to build a local potash operation aren’t without some controversy as it seeks to gain access to the necessary land. The mining site is adjacent to the homes of the Mura, an indigenous tribe in the area who have objected to the mining, saying that it would pollute rivers and scare away game and fish that they rely on for food. But Matt Simpson, CEO of Brazil Potash, says the community meetings with the tribal members have been successful in letting them weigh in on the decision — a right guaranteed by both Brazilian and international law.

The company has raised 240 million dollars for the Autazes project from a group of family offices and sovereign wealth funds, as well as 120 everyday investors. With a strong focus on environmental sustainability, the company has also donated construction materials to support community infrastructure projects. This allows the local municipality to reduce its reliance on diesel-powered electricity and improve schools, roads, and water quality.