Semarang, December 4, 2025 – The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) of Diponegoro University (Undip) organized a workshop titled “Central Java Salt Self-Sufficiency Actors Meeting.” This workshop aimed to synergize various stakeholders in efforts to realize independence and sustainability of the salt industry in Central Java.

The event was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Diponegoro University, Dr. Teguh Yuwono S, M. Pol. Admin., who in his address introduced the strategic role of Diponegoro University as an academic institution committed to studying social and policy issues. He also expressed his hope that this workshop could serve as a productive collaborative platform between academics, government, and industry players to strengthen national salt resilience.

The second address was delivered by a Professor of Diponegoro University, Prof. dr. Achmad Zulfa Juniarto, M.Si.Med., Sp.And(K)., M.M.R., Ph.D., who in his presentation emphasized that salt is part of food security that must be managed well and sustainably. He highlighted the need for strong synergy between the government, academics, industry, and salt farmers to create a sustainable salt industry.

In the keynote speech session, Endi Faiz Effendi, S.Pi., M.A., Head of the Marine and Fisheries Service of Central Java Province, stated that the Central Java salt industry has great potential and this activity is a significant step to advance the sector in the Central Java region.

The session continued with material presentations by the speakers, starting with Dr. Abdul Kholid, S.H., M.Si., Senator of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI), who presented on “Existing Condition and Commitment of Support for the Advancement of Salt Industry in Central Java.” He underlined development challenges in Central Java, including overpopulation (38.23 million people), minimal regional superior products, and lack of infrastructure connectivity. To address this, he hoped that religious community organizations such as NU and Muhammadiyah could also assist in promoting and increasing the consumption of salt made in Central Java.

The next speaker, Ir. A. Koswara, M.P., Director General of Marine Management, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), who participated online (via Zoom platform) to deliver a presentation titled “National Salt Self-Sufficiency Policy and Support for Central Java.” He stated that the government has issued Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 17 of 2025 concerning Acceleration of National Salt Sector Development. This policy includes strategies for intensification, extensification, and technology with limited land, to encourage increased national salt production. Currently, national salt production centers are spread across 10 provinces and 57 regencies/cities.

From the Regional-Owned Enterprise (BUMD) side, Untung Juanto, S.T, M.M., President Director of PT SPJT, discussed “BUMD’s Readiness to Become a Main Player in the Salt Industry in Central Java.” PT SPJT, which operates in the fields of infrastructure, manufacturing, and construction services, established a salt factory on June 24, 2025. This factory uses domestic machines with a procurement mechanism through mini competition on the e-catalog and active mentoring by the Government Goods/Services Procurement Policy Institute (LKPP). The products include Garam Podang, Java Salt, and Saltpro, with a planned production capacity of 200,000 tons per year. Raw materials are sourced from salt farmers in Pati, Rembang, Jepara, and Demak. PT SPJT also plans to build a factory in Brebes in the coming year.

The presentation continued with Ir. Lilik Harnadi, Head of the Marine, Coastal, and Small Islands Division. He stated that Central Java has 6,420 salt farmers and is the third-largest salt-producing province in Indonesia in 2024 with a contribution of 31.26%. However, several challenges persist, including dependence on weather, suboptimal roles of related institutions, inadequate production road infrastructure and pond irrigation channels, sedimentation of water channels, fluctuating salt prices, and variations in salt quality.

After all presentations were completed, the activity continued with a discussion and Q&A session between participants and speakers, which was interactive and produced various constructive inputs regarding the direction of salt sector development in Central Java.

The event concluded with a group photo session with all speakers and participants as a symbol of collective commitment to driving the revival of the salt industry in Central Java.