BSCIC moves to secure 113-acre Kutubdia salt land for modernisation
According to BSCIC, if the land is permanently transferred to the corporation, there will be positive changes in the quality of salt, reduction of post-production losses, increase in storage capacity and marketing system.
The government is considering permanently transferring 113.56 acres of khas land in Kutubdia, Cox's Bazar, to the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) at a nominal price to modernise the national salt industry.
BSCIC Chairman Benazir Ahmed requested policy recommendations for the land ministry in a letter to the Industries Secretary on 6 August.
The proposal, aligned with the Iodized Salt Act, 2021 and National Salt Policy, 2022, aims to establish a modern salt processing, conservation, training and research centre at Lemshikhali in Kutubdia.
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BSCIC currently provides technical and other support to salt farmers across all upazilas of Cox's Bazar and Banshkhali in Chattogram through 12 salt centres.
According to the letter, 106.57 acres of the 113.56 acres leased from the government, along with 2.90 acres purchased by BSCIC, were recorded in the corporation's name during the BS survey. However, the leased land requires renewal every 10 years.
As the leases were not renewed in FT25 and FY26, land could not be allocated to marginal salt farmers on time, contributing to lower salt production. Since the land is khas, influential locals have also attempted to occupy it, with several related cases pending in courts.
BSCIC said permanent transfer would improve salt quality, reduce post-production losses, increase storage capacity and strengthen marketing. Technology-based training would improve farmers' skills and create employment.
Benazir said farmers have faced rising production costs, market-price fluctuations and storage shortages. BSCIC has trained 10,000 farmers in advanced methods of producing white, granular and mature salt.
He said its polythene-based method enables high-quality salt production on less land, almost eliminating black salt and raising output by about 40%. Research and demonstration have also expanded modern technology-based cultivation, reducing costs and improving quality.
Benazir said the land has been used for salt cultivation since 1961 and its permanent transfer could turn Kutubdia into a modern salt processing and training hub, boosting productivity and sustainable development.
Industries Ministry Joint Secretary Pratap Chandra Biswas said no final decision has been made to seek the transfer. "Work is underway. Necessary decisions will be taken after reviewing the legal aspects," he said.
