Supporting 2027 Self-Sufficiency, K-SIGN Rote Ndao Ready for Salt Production
The National Salt Industry Centre (K-SIGN) in Rote Ndao, East Nusa Tenggara, is ready to commence operations. This technology-based salt production facility, initiated by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), is projected to become Indonesia’s largest industrial salt centre, serving as an economic driver for coastal communities and a key supporter in achieving the 2027 self-sufficiency target.
The Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, stated that K-SIGN is projected to be capable of increasing productivity up to 200 tonnes per hectare per year. “This step by the KKP not only supports national salt self-sufficiency but also creates jobs, increases community income, and encourages the growth of downstream salt-based industries,” he said during a visit to K-SIGN alongside the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, on Thursday, 30 July 202lar.
The implementation of this national priority work programme has received full support across sectors. Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan emphasised that the national salt production increase programme managed by the KKP is a crucial strategic step for food security. According to Zulkifli, national salt potential must be utilised optimally so that its added value can be enjoyed by the local community.
“If we want to be independent, then production must be strengthened so that the results are enjoyed by our own people,” Zulkifli Hasan asserted. He added that the central government will continue to push for the accelerated development of the area commanded by the KKP. “We will accelerate it.”
Currently, the progress of K-SIGN’s construction by the KKP shows significant achievements. Phase I, covering 616 hectares, has been completed and is being prepared to enter the production phase. Meanwhile, the KKP and relevant agencies are accelerating the implementation of Phase II through land acquisition processes for 751 hectares, alongside the construction of supporting infrastructure. Once all stages are complete, the area will reach a total size of 1,367 hectares.
In addition to focusing on the production area, the KKP is also building an integrated upstream-to-downstream supporting ecosystem. This strategy includes the construction of production infrastructure, logistics access, and the empowerment of coastal communities through the development of integrated fishing villages equipped with cold storage, fisherman petrol stations, cooperatives, and facilitated access to financing.
The KKP is optimistic that this area will become a new centre for economic growth in Indonesia’s southern frontier, as well as a main pillar in realising food sovereignty and the sustainable welfare of coastal communities.