Salt production hits historic high

Salt farming in Bangladesh has reached the highest level this year since commercial production began in the country six decades ago thanks to favourable weather conditions.

Around 18.39 lakh tonnes have been produced this year and the season is not over yet, according to the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC).

The season runs from November to May and this time a lack of rainfall and favourable weather has resulted in an increase in production, according to farmers.

Commercial salt production began in Cox's Bazar in 1961 and the highest amount produced was 18.32 lakh tonnes in fiscal year 2021-22.

However, this is still not enough to meet the country's demand of around 23 lakh tonnes, according to the BSCIC.

There are approximately 39,467 farmers cultivating salt, an increase of 2,236 from that in the previous year.

In the current season, some 66,424 acres of land is being used, an increase of 3,133 acres from that in the previous year.

They are in Maheshkhali, Kutubdia, Teknaf, Pekua, and Chakaria upazilas along with Cox's Bazar.

Meanwhile, market prices are good enough to give encouragement to marginal farmers.

Every maund of salt (around 37 kilogrammes) is being sold at Tk 430 to Tk 440. In the previous year, it was around Tk 300 to Tk 350.

Abu Jafar Mohammad Gias Uddin, a salt farmer of Rajakhali union of Pekua upazila of Cox's Bazar, expressed satisfaction with the price.

Echoing him, Mohammad Shafiq Mia, a salt farmer of Sabrang union in Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar, however said the cost of production has increased this year due to an increase in the price of diesel and electricity.

Last season, he cultivated salt on 30 acres of land and this season he increased it to 32 acres of land due to the increase in prices.

This has led to an increase in production by 15 per cent to 20 per cent, he added.

The higher prices have also led to salt workers getting better daily wages. The seasonal workers are said to be receiving Tk 150 per day, which is around Tk 20 to Tk 25 more than last season, according to Mia.

"Last season we assured the farmers that if they produce salt according to demand, the government will not allow anyone to import salt," said BSCIC Chairman Md Mahbubur Rahman.

If the weather remains favourable, it will be possible to produce more than 20 lakh tonnes, he added.