In Rote Ndao, a new approach to salt-making is helping the coastal community improve their livelihoods. Known as the tunnel system, this method is changing how salt is produced and creating new economic opportunities for the coastal communities.

In an insightful interview, Jemisra, professional trainer from Fisheries Training and Extension Center Tegal (Balai Pelatihan dan Penyuluhan Perikanan Tegal – BPPP Tegal) shared the motivation behind introducing the tunnel system to Rote Ndao. “Traditional salt-making depends on dry seasons, leaving many producers idle during rainy months,” he explained. “The tunnel system is weatherproof, enabling year-round production with better efficiency and quality.” This method involves constructing specialised land tunnels covered with UV plastic sheets to control evaporation. Not only does the system accelerate production, but it also protects the salt from rain and contaminants, ensuring a cleaner and more consistent product.

Although the tunnel system has been successfully tested in other regions, adapting it to Rote Ndao required more than just technical expertise, prompting BPPP Tegal to initiate a comprehensive community training program in Boa Village from 4-9 November 2024. “Most community members are familiar with salt-making, but they lack the technical skills for large-scale production,” said Jemisra. “We taught them how to manage production, maintain the tunnels, and handle the harvested salt efficiently.”

This inclusive approach ensures that both men and women actively participate, fostering a sustainable business model that benefits local families. The program has successfully engaged and trained 18 women and 33 men, empowering them with valuable skills.
One of the major advantages of the project is reducing Rote Ndao’s dependence on external salt suppliers. “Transporting salt from other regions like Java and Sumatra is costly,” Jemisra remarked. “By producing salt locally, we save money and create jobs.”

The first harvests have already shown promising results, with locals producing high-quality salt ready for the regional market. If scaled up, Rote Ndao could become a leading salt supplier in the eastern Indonesian archipelago. Acting Head of Rote Ndao District, Oder Maks Sombu, expressed his gratitude to all parties involved, saying, “We sincerely appreciate the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, in collaboration with BPPP Tegal, and other stakeholders, for funding and facilitating the salt-making training and the construction of the salt tunnel over the course of one week.” He added, “The results have been outstanding, and we hope this training will empower the community to produce hygienic salt, enhance their skills, and strengthen the local economy. We also look forward to future training opportunities that will benefit not only Boa Village but also the surrounding villages.”

However, success does not come without challenges. Building salt tunnels requires significant land preparation, equipment, and ongoing technical support. To address this, the project secured government and donor support to provide essential materials such as pipes, UV plastics, and storage tanks. From the community’s perspective, challenges stem from a limited understanding of the full production process. Locals are still becoming familiar with the necessary steps, including maintaining proper water levels in the tunnels and managing the harvested salt. Guidance on how and where to store the final product is also needed.

The next steps for the project include expanding the production site, improving salt quality through advanced processing techniques, and strengthening the distribution network. Additional training sessions are planned to ensure the community masters the tunnel system.
Stefanus Mbatu, the Acting Head of Boa Village, emphasised the need for continued support, stating, “We hope for sustained assistance from both district and central governments to ensure the long-term success of this salt-making initiative. Our goal is for this program to generate economic benefits and improve the lives of the people in Boa Village.”

“This initiative has been an excellent starting point for the people of Boa Village. The ATSEA-2 team has introduced us to valuable new knowledge, and we are thankful for their efforts. We hope that this innovative tunnel-based salt-making system will help boost our income in the future,” added Retno, a local community and team leader in the salt-tunnel construction project. With continued support, Rote Ndao’s salt-making industry could flourish, establishing the region as a hub for sustainable salt production. “We’re optimistic,” Jemisra concluded with a hopeful smile. “This is just the beginning of something truly transformative for our people.”

By Safran Yusri and Rembulan Wijanarko