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Jokowi Orders KSP to Address Local Salt Problems

President Joko Widodo has ordered the Chief of Staff Moeldoko to assist, protect and enhance the local salt production in the country, including finding solutions to its problems.

"We have to provide solvencies to any problems faced by local salt farmers and the relevant Ministries/Institutions need to work together in solving the matters," said Moeldoko during a meeting with expert staffs of the Executive Office of the President (KSP), Wednesday (27/10) in Bandung, West Java.

Moeldoko said that the President gave the direct command last week and he particularly paid attention to salt farmers. Moeldoko himself had met and talked to salt farmers in the north coast. During his visit to Rawaurip Village, Pangenan District, Cirebon Regency in early October, the former TNI General carefully listened to farmers' complaints.

“Rawaurip village is the largest salt producer in the country. But the absence of a basic price has caused the drop in local salt’ price. Farmers are also threatened with tidal flooding due to coastal abrasion. Not to mention, the road access is also damaged,” said Moeldoko. In response to the drop in local salt prices due to industrial salt import policy, KSP has initiated a coordination meeting with the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs to further discuss the salt trade system.

"We wish there will be no more salt products imported by third parties. Salts must be directly imported by and to the industry or producers. So that the salt import would not lead to a drop in the price of local salt," continued Moeldoko. In the last 5 years, the price of local salt has fluctuated with a downward trend. This year, the price of local salt dropped to Rp 100 - 200 per kilogram (US$ 0, 007), much lower in comparison to last year’s price of Rp 600 per kilogram during harvest period.