The Salt Conundrum: Why Indonesia's Vast Coastline Hasn't Led to Self-Sufficiency

Indonesia possesses the second-longest coastline globally, yet it continues to import salt. The government has long harboured ambitions of salt self-sufficiency, but this goal remains elusive. The primary challenge is that salt production in Indonesia is still dominated by traditional smallholder farmers on land averaging less than one hectare. They rely heavily on solar evaporation and are thus extremely vulnerable to weather conditions. During the dry season, production can be plentiful, but the rainy season often brings total failure. Furthermore, much of the coastline is not ideally suited for salt production. The required land must be flat, impermeable, and located in an area with low rainfall and high evaporation rates. Many coastal areas are either too steep, have sandy soil that absorbs seawater, or experience high humidity. The government is now focusing on a strategy of extensification, opening new salt production areas in regions like East Nusa Tenggara, particularly on Rote Ndao Island, which is considered ideal. The plan involves integrating the salt farming model with industrial processing to improve quality and ensure that the salt produced meets the standards required by various industries, thereby reducing the nation’s dependence on imports.