These measures are intended to increase the capacity and quality of national salt production in a sustainable and measurable manner.
“The government’s strategies are designed to achieve salt self-sufficiency while ensuring the welfare of farmers,” the ministry’s Director of Marine Resources, Frista Yorhanita, said in Jakarta on Thursday.
The first strategy, extensification, involves the development of new salt ponds aimed at producing industrial-grade salt.
The second strategy focuses on the intensification of existing ponds to improve productivity and quality. However, this approach faces challenges, including limited availability of suitable land with clear legal status, as well as inadequate supporting infrastructure and facilities.
The third strategy centers on the development of production technology to reduce weather dependency and enhance product quality.
In collaboration with state-owned salt producer PT Garam, the government will promote the use of modern technology to ensure production stability and meet industrial demand.
The ministry is targeting national salt self-sufficiency by 2027, as annual demand is projected to reach between 4.9 million and 5.2 million tons. Currently, around 50 to 60 percent of that demand—primarily for industrial use—is still met through imports.
Meanwhile, national salt production has fluctuated in recent years, standing at around 2 million tons annually. With demand reaching approximately 5 million tons, there remains a shortfall of about 3 million tons that domestic production has yet to meet.
“Domestic production is not yet optimal in terms of both quantity and quality, falling short of industrial standards and requirements,” Yorhanita explained.
The decline in production is also influenced by traditional methods that remain heavily weather-dependent. Most salt-producing regions experience only five to six months of dry weather each year, making year-round production unfeasible.
In terms of quality, local salt standards vary significantly, as the sector involves roughly 25,000 farmers with differing levels of skills and equipment.
Currently, average NaCl content peaks at around 94 percent, whereas industrial use requires at least 97 percent purity, and the pharmaceutical industry demands up to 99 percent.
Related news: Driving Indonesia closer to salt self-sufficiency
Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Raka Adji
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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