The government has undertaken a series of measures to ensure fair prices for salt farmers and expanded low-interest
loan facilities to support salt cultivation in Cox's Bazar and Chattogram, Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir told Parliament today (8 July).
Replying to a written question from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mohammad Zahirul Islam (Chattogram-16) in the House, he said a total of 40,150 salt farmers-including 32,410 in Cox's Bazar and 7,740 in Chattogram-cultivated salt on 67,757 acres of land during the 2025-26 fiscal year, producing 1.945 million metric tons of salt.
The day's sitting began with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, in the chair.
"The government has taken measures to determine the minimum price of salt at the farmers' level after verifying the production cost so that growers receive a fair price for their produce," Muktadir said.
The government is also regulating salt imports by fixing import ceilings for industrial use through the Ministry of Industries, he said, adding,"To prevent the import of sodium chloride under the guise of sodium sulfate or disodium sulfate, laboratory testing is being ensured before customs clearance."
The government is reviewing import duty rates on salt while providing regular training to farmers to improve the quality of locally produced salt, the minister continued.
"As a result of these initiatives, farmers are now receiving better prices than they did at the same time last year. The average farm-gate price currently stands at Taka 337 per maund, compared to Taka 271 during the corresponding period last year," he said.
On financial support for salt farmers, Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) has introduced a Special Credit Programme for Salt Farmers, offering collateral-free loans at a simple interest rate of five percent.
"So far, Taka 3.25 crore has been disbursed among 677 salt farmers under the programme," he said.
The minister also informed the House that genuine salt farmers are receiving loans at a concessional interest rate of four percent through scheduled banks under the Bangladesh Bank's Agricultural and Rural Credit Policy.
Khandakar Abdul Muktadir / Ministry of Industry / Parliament session
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