PERNEM – TALUKA SALT – PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

(PERNEM TALUKA MITH UTPADAK SANGHA)

Memorandum

For Assistance to Salt – producers of

Agarwado – Pernem

The father of nation, Mahatma Gandhi undertook the famous DANDI MARCH to offer Salt-Satyagraha, in 1930.

During this period Goa under the Portuguese occupation was exporting Salt to rest of India and countries in Africa.

After India’s independence Salt-production, being a traditional village industry was given constitutional protection.  An office of National Salt Commissioner was established at Jaipur – Rajasthan.

However, the Salt-industry in Goa did not received any encouragement after liberation.  As a result number of villages producing Salt was reduced, number of Salt-pans decreased and the Salt-production fell drastically.

Despite lack of support from the government of Goa in production and marketing villages like Agarwado in Pernem, Nerul in Bardez, Merces and Bhatim in Tiswadi, Sirlim in Salcete have been striving hard to keep the industry alive.

Needless to say, Salt-production is environmentally clean, non-pollutiong, low-capital, labour intensive, employment generating rural economic activity which should get full government support.

That’s why the Salt-producers of Agarwado-Pernem make this appeal to solve their problems and help them to raise their production.

I.          Problems of Agarwado Salt-producers

           Agarwado as the name itself implies is one of the ancient Salt-production center on the West-coast.  It is situated a few kilometers from the Arabian sea on the north bank of Chapora river.

           More than sixty families of Agarwado derive their livelihood from Salt-production.

           Agarwado Salt, being purest of natural Salt in Goa, with less silt and sand is highly prized.

           The total 16 Salt pans in the village only 4 are presently used for Salt production and  3 are particially damaged.

           The rest 9 have been damaged due to destruction of outer protective embankment and sluice-gates since 1987-88.  This caused a loss of Rs. 8.9 lakhs / year.

           Wave-action has caused massive erosion of outer embankments.  Four large breaches haves wrecked havoc by incessantly flooding the Salt-pans.

           The outer embankment known as “AGOR POILEM” need immediate attention.

           The Salt-pans are inaccessible from the main road, thus marketing becomes expensive.  An approach road from the Ferry-wharf at Chopadem may solve the problem.

           The time required for preparation of Salt-pans is normally 90 – 100 days.  This is mainly because of non-availability of diesel pumps for removing water from the Salt-pans. Agarwado Salt-pans are constructed below the sea-level for intake of water.

           Provision of diesel-pump on subsidized basis will help in reducing pre-production period.

           There is no minimum price support policy for locally manufactured Salt.  This leads to dumping of sub-standard, adulterated with  sand at cheap rates forcing Agarwado Salt-producers to lower their prices.

           There’ re effective solutions to the above problems which the government need to apply.

1. Suggested solutions for solving Agarwado-Salt-producers problem

1. Immediate survey and reconstruction of the eroded “AGOR POILEM” bundh on permanent basis;
   1. Reconstruction of damaged sluice-gates regulating “saline-water” intake in 4 damaged Salt-pans;
   1. Widening of “AGOR POILEM” bundh so as facilitate transport of light-goods vehicles for speedy, cheap transport of  Salt;
   1. Provision of diesel-pump sets to Salt-producers on subsidized basis for the production season;
   1. Notification of Salt as commodity under state marketing act and declaration of minimum support price;
   1. Grading of locally produced crude Salt;
   1. Encouragement to set-up co-operative society for producing refined White Salt and Iodized Salt.

III.        Economic fallout of Govt.  action

1. Government intervention will enthuse not only Agawado Salt-producers but other Salt-producers in Goa.  Many damaged Salt-pans could be reclaimed with government assistance.
   1. Reconstruction of “AGOR-POILEM” bundh and sluice-gates will help in commencing production in 12 damaged Salt-pans.
   1. Salt-production in Agarwado will increase from present 750-1000 Mt. To 1000 -1500 mt/year.
   1. This will provide direct employment to 70 persons and indirect employment to 100 people.
   1. Salt-trade  will boost  from Rs.5-8 lakhs/year to Rs.10-14 lakhs/year.
   1. Government assistance will also help the producers to use their Salt-pans as multipurpose production units for producing “prawns, brine-shrimps, algal bio fertilizers and valuable medicinal seaweeds, using latest technology.

IV.        Plan of action

Concerned government departments such as RDA, soil conservation, Industries & Mines, Revenue need to co-operate.

A high level meeting comprising above departments and representatives of Panchayat, Salt-producers need to be held followed immediately by “on the spot inspection”.

A time bound plan to implement the solutions as suggested need to be prepared.

Since RDA and soil conservation dept. will have to play an active role they need to closely liaise with the committee of Agarwado Salt-producers.

It is hoped that government will take positive steps to remedy the situation by reconstructing the bundhs  so as to make Salt-production viable from 1994-95 season.