DURHAM, N.C., Dec. 16, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- An award of INR 100,000 for "Promoting the Use of Zinc in Indian Agriculture" was presented to Drs. R.S. Malik, R.P. Narwal, S.P. Gupta, Ramkala and R.R. Dahiya from the Department of Soil Science at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. This award, created by the International Zinc Association (IZA) and the Fertilizer Association of India (FAI), was presented by Mr. Sharad Pawar, Minister of Agriculture & Food Processing Industries and Mr. Srikant Kumar Jena, Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers during the Inaugural Ceremony of the FAI Annual Seminar on 11th December 2013.
This was the fourth year for the IZA-FAI award, which was instituted in 2010 to increase the awareness of the importance of zinc fertilizers.
"50% of soils in India are deficient in zinc and that number will increase unless there is greater use of zinc fertilizers," said Dr. Soumitra Das, Director of the IZA's Zinc Nutrient Initiative in India. "That is why the efforts recognized by this award are so critical for helping to increase crop production and nutritional status of crops in India and thus help solve two key issues: food security and malnutrition."
As well, IZA Member Hindustan Zinc Ltd. also presented an award with FAI for "Marketing of Zinc Fertilizers in India" to Dayal Fertilizers, Meerut, U.P. (Managing Director – Mr. Abhay Kumar).
| For more information: |
| Dr. Soumitra Das, Director, ZNI-India |
| International Zinc Association |
| sdas@zinc.org |
| Dr. Andrew Green, Director, Zinc Nutrient Initiatve |
| International Zinc Association |
| agreen@zinc.org |
| Rob Putnam, Director, Communications |
| International Zinc Association |
| rputnam@zinc.org |
Note to Editors
The International Zinc Association (IZA) is a non-profit organization representing the global zinc industry by promoting zinc's essentiality in present and potential product applications, human health and crop nutrition and by highlighting zinc's contribution to sustainable development. IZA has been active in zinc and nutrition efforts by supporting scientific research, publishing information materials and holding conferences. IZA also supports the International Zinc Nutrition Consultative Group (IZiNCG) and Zinc Saves Kids. http://www.zinc.org
The Zinc Nutrient Initiative (ZNI) was launched by IZA to address the critical problem of zinc deficiency. ZNI seeks to address the link between zinc deficiency in soils, crops and humans with the long-term and sustainable solution of zinc fertilizers to improve crop yield and nutrition, ultimately improving food security and human health. As a result of ZNI's work in India, a zinc subsidy was included in India's NBSS in 2010, 31 new zinc fertilizer blends were produced, and Zn-fertilizer use increased significantly. www.zinc.org/crops
The Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) is a non-profit and non-trading company representing mainly the fertiliser manufacturers, distributors, importers, equipment manufacturers, research institutes and suppliers of inputs. The Association was established in 1955 with the objective of bringing together all concerned with the production, marketing and use of fertilizers. www.faidelhi.org.
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=22704
