KKP Asks PT Garam To Increase Production To Achieve Food Self-Sufficiency

Illustration (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) encourages PT Garam to increase production quantity and quality to meet national salt needs and achieve self-sufficiency in 2027.

Minister of KP Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said that self-sufficiency in salt is now a national priority.

"Salt self-sufficiency must be a national priority and it's time for us to take concrete steps," Trenggono was quoted as saying on the KKP official website, Friday, February 7.

Trenggono emphasized the importance of modernizing technology and improving salt pond infrastructure as the main strategy to increase national production. This step is considered crucial to reduce dependence on imports and improve the welfare of salt farmers.

It is known that the government has designated self-sufficiency in salt as a strategic step to support food self-sufficiency. This was as agreed in a coordination meeting of the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs on November 28, 2024.

This year, meeting national salt needs, especially for industry, will rely on domestic production with the exception of the alkali plant chlor (CAP) industry which is still allowed to import in limited quantities.

In addition, Trenggono also emphasized that the revitalization and expansion of PT Garam's production land is the key in increasing production capacity.

The government has also encouraged the exploration of new potential areas to expand salt ponds and ensure the supply of raw materials for the domestic industry.

"Industrial needs are very specific, both in terms of quantity and quality. Therefore, PT Garam must adapt to industrial development and increase innovation in the production process," said Trenggono.

As a concrete step, the KKP will build an extensification model for salt ponds in strategic locations that have been carefully studied in order to meet national needs.

Then, PT Garam will be given the mandate to manage production results in order to increase the efficiency and sustainability of the national salt industry.

"We are in the era of self-sufficiency in food. This is a momentum for PT Garam to play a bigger role in fulfilling national food security. Therefore, the KKP will ensure this momentum is not wasted," he explained.

With a strong synergy between the government and PT Garam, Indonesia is expected to achieve national salt self-sufficiency in 2027 and reduce dependence on imports.

In the future, KKP is also committed to continuing to encourage the progress and competitiveness of the national salt industry.