The Canpotex market development program in China operates in cooperation with the International Plant Nutrition Institute.  Since the early 1980s, this "grass roots" program has encouraged the use of potash by promoting balanced fertilizer application. Demonstration plots show farmers, in their own fields, the benefits of balancing nitrogen, phosphates, and potash in the proper ratios.

Farmers are starting to recognize that balanced fertilization is critical to agricultural productivity, and Canpotex carries this message through the activities of its market development programs.

Another dimension of this program in China includes the management of research plots where different fertilizers and fertilizer combinations are tested on various crops. "Harvest Field Days" are organized to demonstrate the results and are popular, family-oriented events. Local entertainment is often part of the day‘s activities.

Canpotex spends $1.5 million each year on this and other market development initiatives in a number of other countries such as India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.