Assessing the Sustainability of Smallholder Salt Enterprises on Madura Island, Indonesia: A Comparison of Four Salt Production Methods (Technologies)

Authors

  • Campina Illa Prihantini

    Faculty of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry, Universitas Sembilanbelas November Kolaka, Kolaka 93517, Indonesia
  • Yuli Purbaningsih

    Faculty of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry, Universitas Sembilanbelas November Kolaka, Kolaka 93517, Indonesia
  • Faizal Amir

    Faculty of Islamic Science, University of Trunojoyo Madura, Bangkalan 69162, Indonesia
  • Ahmad Syariful Jamil

    School of Animal and Veterinary Science and Agriculture, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro 080-8555, Japan
  • Mery Berlian

    Faculty of Sains and Technology, Indonesia Open University, Tangerang Selatan 15437, Indonesia
  • Deby Ananda Difah

    Faculty of Sains and Technology, Indonesia Open University, Tangerang Selatan 15437, Indonesia
  • Masitah

    Faculty of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry, Universitas Sembilanbelas November Kolaka, Kolaka 93517, Indonesia
  • Muh. Nurtanzis Sutoyo

    Faculty of Information Technology, Universitas Sembilanbelas November Kolaka, Kolaka 93517, Indonesia
  • Umbu Joka

    School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia (UWA), Crawley 6009, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i2.12631
Received: 31 October 2025 | Revised: 17 December 2025 | Accepted: 31 December 2025 | Published Online: 10 April 2026

Abstract

This study compares the quality characteristics of salt produced using four different production methods on Madura Island, namely traditional production technology, tunnel technology, geomembrane technology, and land-integrated production technology. The research employed a descriptive quantitative approach, supported by systematic field observations and laboratory-based measurements to ensure reliable and objective results. Salt samples were collected from nine production sites located across three regencies on Madura Island, representing variations in production scale, environmental conditions, and technological adoption. The analysis focused on three key quality indicators—NaCl content, salt whiteness, and water content—which were assessed in accordance with standards established by Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and SNI 8207. Salt quality testing was conducted using a Saltdec M102 salt detector to maintain consistency and accuracy throughout the evaluation process. The findings indicate that salt produced using tunnel technology, geomembrane technology, and land-integrated production technology generally demonstrates superior quality compared to traditional methods. These technologies tend to yield higher NaCl concentrations, lower moisture levels, and better salt cleanliness, making them more suitable for meeting industrial and consumption standards. Nevertheless, each production method presents distinct advantages and limitations related to investment costs, labor intensity, technological complexity, and environmental suitability. Traditional salt production, for instance, remains widely practiced due to its simplicity, low capital requirements, and adaptability to local conditions, despite its relatively lower salt quality. Based on these findings, future policy efforts by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries should prioritize the promotion of improved production technologies, including the corporatization of salt lands through land integration, as a strategy to enhance productivity, strengthen competitiveness, and improve the overall welfare of salt farmers.

Keywords:

Sustainability; Production Technology; Smallholder Salt Enterprises

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How to Cite

Prihantini, C. I., Purbaningsih, Y., Amir, F., Jamil, A. S., Berlian, M., Difah, D. A., Masitah, Sutoyo, M. N., & Joka, U. (2026). Assessing the Sustainability of Smallholder Salt Enterprises on Madura Island, Indonesia: A Comparison of Four Salt Production Methods (Technologies). Research in Ecology, 8(2), 253–269. https://doi.org/10.30564/re.v8i2.12631

Issue

Vol.8, Iss.2 (April 2026)(in progress)

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Article

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Copyright © 2026 Campina Illa Prihantini, Yuli Purbaningsih, Faizal Amir; Ahmad Syariful Jamil; Mery Berlian, Deby Ananda Difah, Masitah, Muh. Nurtanzis Sutoyo; Umbu Joka

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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