Frederick, I actually think that there is an opportunity to work with the salt "farmers" to create an artisanal speciality food product (needs a lot of thinking and development) on the lines of what is described here...and perhaps the Portugese connections may be an easier way to start.
*From a Portuguese Marsh, Salt, the Traditional Way * http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/world/europe/27salt.html?_r=0 *In Salts, a Pinch of Bali or a Dash of Spain* http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/27/dining/27curious.html?pagewanted=all *A specialised gourmet sea salt products example ;-)* http://www.saltworks.us/ Ciao! Karan On Mon, Jul 22, 2013 at 2:20 PM, Frederick Noronha <[email protected]> wrote: > [VIDEO] As Dear As Salt : A video explaining the issue by Reyna Sequeira > > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWQZHje_y4A&feature=em-upload_owner#action=share > 00:18:24 > > [AUDIO] https://archive.org/details/LaunchAsDearAsSalt > Recording of the entire programme, July 21, 2013 at > Panjim, Goa. 02:09:25 > ========================================================== > > Goa traditional salt producers seek official action > > Panjim, Goa: Salt producers from diverse areas of Goa warned that their > traditional sector from coastal Goa is in the "ICU" (intensive care unit), > and called for speedy steps to help alleviate the "precarious" situation > afflicting them. > > Advocate-cum-salt entrepreneur Govind U. Bhobe of Nerul, Bardez, explained > how his initiative in the field had help to boost salt production from 1000 > bags (of 75 kgs each) to 5000 bags within the same area itself. > > But this year itself, salt production was very low and > even marketing was facing so many challenges, Bhobe > said. "The government has done nothing (for salt)," he > added, saying those in areca nut, cashew and diary > were given subsidies but there was nothing for salt makers. > > "Do something. If not big, give some help. The government can offer a > minimum support price," said Bhobe, seeking also for support to store salt > "which cannot be stored in the house or in a hall". > > Vitobha Bhagli of Agarvaddo in Pernem, who comes from a village named for > its salt making traditions, appreciated Dr. Reyna Sequeira, author of the > book 'As Dear of Salt' for attracting attention via her thesis and book to > what is considered a "backward village of backward people". > > "In our village, all the salt work is done by our own villagers (of > Mithgawadas)," said Bagli. He said the government should consider placing > the Mithgawadas under the OBC or ST category, so that its members could get > some relief. > > Gregory Almeida, salt maker from Arpora (Bardez), > said he and his small family could extract upto one > tonne of salt in a day. He narrated how he learnt > the art of salt extraction from villagers in Pernem. > Yet, he said, the panchayat was pushing to convert > his salt pan into a road, and sell out to builders. > > Speakers also pointed out to how the area producing salt in Goa was > shrinking all the time. > > Author Reyna Sequeira, in an audio-visual on > salt, suggested setting up a deputy salt > commissioner exclusively for Goa, keeping careful > statistics on Goa's salt production, storage facilities > at the salt pans, a strict ban on conversion of salt > pans for any other purpose, promoting eco-tourism > in salt pans, maintaining sluice gates, providing > infrastructure facilities for workers (including > potable water and health-care), and a need for > roads to transport salt. > > Chief minister Manohar Parrikar stressed that for any traditional trade to > succeed, it needed both to be economically competitive as well as earn > social respect. > > Some traditional occupations were no longer relevant to society, but salt > would definitely continue to be, the chief minister said. Salt had a need > for home-consumption as well as industrial purposes, he stressed. > > "The salt pans will have to compete with five-star hotels for earning > money, then only will they survive," the CM added, pointing to harsh > economic realities. > > The CM alluded to the reasons behind government delays in delivering on its > promises, and look at gentle dig at media-persons, asking not to > misunderstand his light-hearted comments. > > Speaking earlier, principal Bhaskar Nayak of Government College, Quepem, > praised research which was socially relevant, and said fifty percent of his > college staff had their PhDs. The GCQ organised Sunday morning's > well-attended function at the Directorate of Arts & Culture in Panjim. > > ### > > Contact the author: [email protected] 9822055871 or > +91-832-2770166 > -- Karan Green Essentials | Ideas for Eco-friendly Living Near Ideal High School, New St. Inez—Taleigao Road, Taleigao, Panjim, Goa - 403 002 On the Web: www.greenessentials.in | On Facebook: www.facebook.com/greenessentials <http://www.greenessentials.info>
