"We appreciate the domestic industry for absorbing farmers' salt. Please do this not only on paper, but let the farmers help what the industry needs," the minister remarked after the signing of the MoU in Jakarta on Friday.
In 2022, salt processing industries plan to absorb 1.05 million tons of domestically produced salt, in addition to salt absorbed directly through small and medium industries (IKM), in several regions.
The regions include Cirebon, Indramayu, and Karawang in West Java; Demak, Jepara, Rembang, and Pati in Central Java; Sumenep, Pamekasan, Sampang, Bangkalan, and Surabaya in East Java; Takalar and Jeneponto in South Sulawesi; Bima in West Nusa Tenggara; and Nagekeo and Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara.
Acting Director General of Pharmaceutical, Chemical, and Textile Industries (IKFT) at the Ministry of Industry, Ignatius Warsito, said that the plan for local salt absorption will still consider the realization of local salt harvest in 2022, which will begin around August.
Another consideration will be the quality of K1 raw material of salt (first composition), which can be processed into iodized salt for consumption as well as industrial raw materials that do not require high specifications, such as for textiles, leather tanning, and fish salting.
Minister Kartasasmita and Warsito on Friday witnessed the MoU signing for the absorption of salt by 15 salt processing industries, who were represented by 7 salt processing industries, and 27 salt farmers/farmers from the provinces of West Java, Central Java, and East Java.
"The MoU signing is expected to become a concrete form of cooperation between the industry and salt farmers in terms of absorbing domestically produced salt," Warsito said.
The cooperation between industry and salt farmers is expected to not only help absorb local salt, but also allow the salt processing industry, through the Association of Indonesian Salt Consumer Industries (AIPGI), to provide support to salt farmers for improving the quality of their salt production.
This support would include programs carried out by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries for increasing the quantity and quality of local salt production.
Related news: KSP oversees restoration of Cirebon mangrove, roadway for salt farmers
Related news: Geographical indication can help salt farmers to market products
Related news: Ministries collaborate to tighten control on fish, salt imports
Translator: Sella Panduarsa G, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
