Salt farmers in Cox’s Bazar have been hard hit by recent rainfall and unfavorable weather conditions, bringing production to a standstill. Low prices and flooded salt beds ruin recovery prospects, and many farmers face financial distress.
Several local salt producers reported that continued rain has severely disrupted their operations, damaging fields and delaying the drying process crucial to salt cultivation.
According to data from the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), salt is cultivated across 68,505 acres of land in Cox’s Bazar and the Banshkhali upazila of Chattogram. As of last Friday, 1.84 million metric tons of salt had been produced this season. The government’s target for the current season is 2.61 million metric tons.
With continued weather disruptions, stakeholders fear meeting this target will become increasingly complex.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
File Photo
