Global Fertilizer Day, an annual event celebrated on 13 October around the world by the fertilizer industry in an effort to make people aware of the importance of the fertilizer industry, commemorates the Haber-Bosch patent on synthesis of ammonia from air in 1908. Another purpose of Global Fertilizer Day is to educate people about the fertilizer industry’s contributions to feeding both the global population and the global economy, while also encouraging students to explore the many career paths within the industry. “We are extremely proud of the fertilizer industry’s global role and believe we are lucky to be able to not only feed the world by putting food on peoples’ tables, but to feed economies by providing important and fulfilling careers and working tirelessly to innovate to be good environmental stewards,” said The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch.
The Washington-based Fertilizer Institute is a trade association that represents the nation’s fertilizer industry before the US Congress and federal regulatory agencies. “We feed the world, we do it sustainably, and we are proud of the women and men working in our industry to make it all happen. It is an honor to celebrate them, and that’s what Global Fertilizer Day is all about,” the TFI’s president added. In years past, facilities have opened their doors to local school students, elected officials and the general public for facility tours and presentations. This year, however, the celebrations have gone mostly virtual due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
On the other side of the Atlantic, Fertilizers Europe, which represents the interests of the majority of mineral fertilizer manufacturers in the European Union, also celebrates the Global Fertilizer Day. As the organization‘s website reminds the public, „thanks to their invention, billions of people were saved from famine and modern fertilizers will continue to ensure food security in the future.“ Being an international initiative supported by world’s fertilizer industry associations, Global Fertilizer Day’s main aim is to „(educate) the world population on the benefits and uses of fertilizers, and worldwide encouragement of innovation in agriculture for a sustainable future.“ Fertilizers Europe comprises 17 fertilizer manufacturers from countries across the EU and eight national fertilizer associations and its objective is to provide information on fertilizer products and application technology, and topics relating to today’s agricultural, environmental and economic challenges.
