Farmers go on satyagraha as Goa bans non-iodised salt Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji

A few non-government organisations and some traditional farmers in Goa celebrated 50 years of India's independence with a unique salt satyagraha -- they sold traditional salt as a protest against the invasion of multinationals in the salt industry.

Beginning August 15, the state government has banned the sale of non-iodised, traditional salt for human consumption. The satyagraha was in protest against this decision, implemented as per the outlines issued by the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorder, courtesy WHO and UNICEF.

The NGOs and Opposition parties in the state allege it is a multinational plot to monopolise the salt market by selling iodized salt. "Goan salt contains iodine," claims BJP MLA Manohar Parrikar.

The state government's sample survey, which shows iodine deficiency among 49 per cent and goitre among 35 per cent of the population, has become a bone of contention. These results mean every second Goan suffers from iodine deficiency and every third person suffers from goitre, though the health department figures reveal that the malnutrition rate in Goa is much lower than the national rate.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr Wilfred De Souza -- himself a medical practitioner -- who insists on the use of iodised salt based on the sample survey of only 133 people, admits that no figures of the iodine deficiency in the last five years are available. Neither has any systematic study been conducted on the living conditions and eating habits of the Goans.

Given the state's proclivity for sea food, scientists claim Goans will rarely suffer from iodine deficiency. Malnutrition exists due to poverty, epidemics and diseases like malaria, on which fronts very little has been done so far.

One of the few states that still bans non-iodised salt, Goa has not digested the WHO theory of consuming iodised salt. Most Goans still use traditional salt. The government has not banned sale of non-iodised salt, it has only excluded its sale for human consumption. A large quantity of salt is used as a fertiliser.

However, the salt industry, which has existed in Goa for 1,500 years, looks at the ban as yet another onslaught on traditional professions. Though the agricultural land development panel was appointed in 1988 after a violent agitation by salt farmers, its recommendations concerning the upgradation of the salt industry have not yet been implemented.

With over 200 salt pans in 13 villages of the Pernem, Bardez, Tiswadi and Salcete talukas, Goa produces around 35,000 metric tons of salt annually. The Congress government, however, only pays lip service to the farmers instead of helping the industry to prosper.