TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In today's limited meeting via a video conference at Jakarta Merdeka Palace, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo highlighted the absorption of domestic salt. He said a lot of farmers’ salt was not absorbed well by the country's industry.

“As of September 22, the data shows there are still 738,000 tons of farmers’ salt that are not absorbed by our industry. We must seek the solution so that the salt can be sold,” he said.

He argued that the main problem was the low quality of the salt as it failed to meet the industry standards. “We have to find a way out. We know the problem but we have never found a solution so far,” he remarked.

The problem was also worsened by the low production of domestic salt which the President said it kept repeating to no solution. Thus, as a result, salt imports continued.

He further underlined that there must be remedial measures such as improvement in the supply chain from the upstream to downstream.

“Once again, monitor the availability of land for the production, accelerate the integration between the extension of the lands for farmers’ salt in ten provinces,” President Jokowi said.

To solve the problem related to the low productivity and quality of the farmers’ salt, Jokowi also called for the use of innovative manufacturing technology. “The vital thing is, we need to do the washing plan thoroughly so that the post-production can ensure the product’s availability, particularly in the warehouse,” he said.

Read also: Jokowi: Situation Will Back to Normal Once COVID-19 Vaccination Begins

EGI ADYATAMA