RARE SALT OF GROBOGAN

Bertani salt is usually carried out in the coastal area, but not for residents in Jono Village, Tawangharjo District, Grobogan Regency, Central Java. The citizens in this area are precisely able to produce salts from the fields located far from the sea. Production of salt in Jono village is quite unique and rare because the raw material originated from water obtained from the well, not from the sea. The well has a saltwater source, never dry even though the dry season and has a more savory flavor when compared to the sea salt.

The process of salt making begins with the water of the well within 25 meters, then it is channeled through pipes connected to the shelter. From the shelter the farmers move the water to the bamboo bars or citizens call it paradise. When the bamboo already contains the water is sun-pollinated to crystallize salt-shaped ready to harvest. The process of forming the salt takes 10 days when the weather is hot and 15 days when the weather is protected.

According to citizens, Jono salt shot area with an area of about three hectares it has existed since Dutch colonial hours. In the 1970s, the number of Jono salt farmers reached hundreds and currently only remaining tens. People are forced to leave the profession because the results obtained from salt farmers cannot meet the daily needs. Many of them prefer to look for other jobs, as a result there is no regeneration.

In addition to being the place of salt production, Jono village also visited tourists from various regions. They are curious to just see the process of making this rare salt as well as being a research object of a number of students from the College in Solo and Yogyakarta.

Now only remaining six wells and conditions experience smelting and narrowing. Another concern of salt farmers is the ambrol of the wells. They hope the government pay attention to the presence of unique and rare salt shots so that Jono salt production remains running and regeneration is not broken.

Photo and Text : Joseph Nugroho