Mataram, NTB, Sept. 15 -- For many, salt is considered a mere kitchen staple that adds flavor to food. In reality, it plays a vital role in high-value industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

To this end, the downstreaming of salt-transforming raw salt into products with higher economic value-has been promoted to strengthen coastal economies.

With its extensive coastline and abundant salt ponds, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) holds a strategic position to prove that salt offers a promising future.

In Bima, Dompu, and East Lombok, coastal communities have long relied on salt as an economic lifeline. However, most of the salt is still sold raw, lowering its economic value.

In recent years, salt downstreaming initiatives have b...