Astra Supports Les Village in Preserving Traditional Salt Heritage

Traditional salt production serves as both a cultural heritage and a primary livelihood for the community in Les Village, Tejakula District, Buleleng Regency. Amidst a declining number of salt farmers, coaching from Astra is considered vital in helping to maintain the sustainability of this industry.

Nyoman Nadiana, the coordinator for the Astra Desa Sejahtera program in Les Village, stated that currently only about 15 farmers remain active in producing traditional salt using ancestral methods. “The number of salt farmers is indeed not as large as it once was. Therefore, preservation and development efforts are crucial to ensure this tradition survives,” said Nadiana.

According to Nadiana, the support provided through the Astra Desa Sejahtera program is one of the steps taken to maintain production continuity while simultaneously increasing its economic value. In addition to the signature ‘palungan’ salt of Les Village, the community has also begun developing various salt product innovations using bio-membrane methods.

“We want traditional salt to not only survive but also develop into a flagship product that provides economic benefits for the community,” she added. Nadiana expressed hope that continuous coaching and promotion could attract the interest of the younger generation to participate in the traditional salt business, ensuring the heritage remains preserved for the future.