Gov’t Provides Washing Plant Assistance to Improve Quality of Domestic Salt

Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) through Directorate General of Marine Spatial Management inaugurated a washing plant in Brebes, Central Java.

The inauguration was carried out symbolically by Acting Director-General of Marine Spatial Management TB Haeru Rahayu, Deputy to Cabinet Secretary for Maritime Affairs and Investment Agustina Murbaningsih, and Deputy Regent of Brebes Narjo, in Pesantunan Village, Wanasari District, Brebes, Central Java, Tuesday (22/12).

“Alhamdulillah, thank God, today, the Government has provided a stimulus in the form of a machine to improve the quality of the salt cultivated by the people. Hopefully, the salt can be absorbed by the industry,” Agustina said.

The washing plant assistance worth Rp2.7 billion was handed over directly by the Acting Director-General to the Mekar Sari Sejahtera Salt Cooperative as the recipient.

The construction of the washing plant, TB Haeru Rahayu said, aims to improve the quality of the salt cultivated by the people so that it meets the needs of the industry which means an increase in the salt absorption and its selling price, as well as the development of salt market access based on people’s economy.

“The salt washing machine with a production capacity of 20 tons/day is expected to fulfill the potential of the existing salt market so that the increased production of quality salt can improve the welfare of salt farmers in Brebes Regency,” he said.

In 2020, he added, the Ministry through the People’s Salt Business Development Program (PUGaR) provided washing plant assistance in 7 locations, namely Karawang Regency, Indramayu Regency, Pati Regency, Brebes Regency, Sampang Regency, Gresik Regency, and Pasuruan Regency.

“In accordance with the President’s directive, PUGaR activities are also paired with the National Economic Recovery (PEN) program. Therefore, PUGaR activities are carried out in a labor-intensive manner, absorbing local workers to help the community’s economy during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

On the occasion, Narjo expressed his gratitude to the Ministry for various marine and fisheries programs, especially the PUGaR program, in an effort to address the national salt problem and achieve national salt self-sufficiency.

“This national program shows the Government’s commitment to provide business fields and improve the welfare of the salt farmers,” Narjo said. (Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries/UN) (FI/LW)