Gujarat govt wants salt makers to increase yield

Industries Commissioner Kamal Dayani also emphasised on the need for setting up of a center for excellence for the salt industry

The Gujarat government wants the salt manufacturers in the state to focus on increasing their productivity per acre by adopting new technologies. Gujarat accounts for nearly 72 per cent of salt production in India.

Industries Commissioner Kamal Dayani conveyed this expectation of the government to salt manufactures during a recent function held during opening of regional office of the Indian Salt Manufacturers' Association (ISMA) in Ahmedabad.

"Productivity of salt per acre in India is much less than that of neighbouring China, which is able to produce more salt per acre," Dayani said addressing the members of ISMA.

"ISMA members need to focus on increasing the productivity by adopting to new technology for production," he said, adding that state government was ready to support them in this endeavour.

Dayani also emphasised on the need for setting up of a center for excellence for the salt industry, which could provide training on specific skills required for the sector.

Last year 12 million tonne of salt was produced in Gujarat, which is likely to increase to 14-15 million tonne this year. According to ISMA president P N Rao, members of the association have been urged to adopt new technology to increase productivity.

"We have a vision to take production to 38 million tonne by 2020," Rao said. For this, the association members have taken number of steps which include expanding to new areas for production, tie up with Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhanvnagar for new technology and seeking more investment from government.

"We have requested the state government to give undeveloped areas to salt manufacturers for expansion. Further we have asked them to process at the earliest pending application for exploring new virgin sites for salt manufacturing," Rao said. "We have also asked the government to give land on lease for at least 30 years so that we can invest for long term. The present lease period is only for 10 years," he added.