The Reality of Salt Making in the Philippines (Irasan Salt)
TLDRThe video script narrates the plight of traditional salt making in the Philippines, a practice that is rapidly disappearing. Once a thriving industry with self-sufficiency, the craft has been severely impacted by import liberalization, urbanization, and the 1995 Asin Law mandating iodized salt, which led to a decline in salt farms. The script introduces viewers to the Heirloom Irasan of Kawit, Cavite, and its remaining salt makers, who face the arduous task of salt production during the dry season, only to be challenged by unpredictable weather and the effects of climate change. The story of 55-year-old Nerly Kahalili illustrates the personal struggles and the labor-intensive process of salt making, from preparing salt beds to harvesting. The video also touches upon the economic hardship salt makers face, earning meager incomes for their work. It concludes with a call to support local salt producers and a discussion on the potential amendment to the Asin Law that may revive the traditional salt industry by exempting artisanal salts from iodization requirements, allowing them to be sold legally and fostering a Geographical Indication for local products.
Takeaways
- π The Philippines, an archipelago, has the fifth longest shoreline in the world, which historically supported a thriving salt industry.
- ποΈ Salt making is now a dying tradition in the Philippines, with the number of salt farms dwindling due to various factors.
- π Import liberalization and urbanization, along with the Asin Law of 1995, have contributed to the decline of the salt industry.
- π΅ Meet Nerly Kahalili, a 55-year-old salt maker who learned the craft in the '80s and now tends to the salt beds mostly on his own.
- βοΈ Salt harvesting is a labor-intensive process that takes place during the dry season, with preparation starting as early as December.
- π§ The process involves transferring seawater through a series of basins to increase salinity before the water is ready for salt production.
- π Different depositories are used to store water at varying salinity levels, with the final 'ultimo' deposit reaching 8 to 10 on the salinity scale.
- π The sequence of salt harvesting affects its color and uses, with the first harvest being grayish and suitable for preservation and the second being whiter and used for baking.
- π° Salt makers earn a modest income, with 200 to 300 pesos for every sack of salt after about 8 months of work.
- β Climate change has a direct impact on salt making, with unpredictable weather affecting both the quality and quantity of the harvest.
- πΎ The ASIN Law, which mandates iodization of all sold salt, has had a significant negative impact on traditional salt makers who lack the means to iodize their salt.
- ποΈ Recent amendments to the law may offer a lifeline to artisanal salt producers, distinguishing their product and allowing them to compete in the market.
Q & A
What is the Philippines' ranking in terms of the length of its shoreline?
-The Philippines has the fifth longest shoreline in the world, with more than 36,000 kilometers.
Why is the salt-making tradition in the Philippines considered a dying tradition?
-Salt making is a dying tradition in the Philippines due to import liberalization, urbanization, and the Asin Law of 1995 which disallowed the sale of uniodized salt, leading to a decline in salt farms.
What is the term used to refer to salt beds in the Philippines?
-The term used to refer to salt beds in the Philippines is 'irasans'.
How has climate change affected the salt-making process in the Philippines?
-Climate change has led to unpredictable weather patterns, causing rain during what should be the dry season for salt harvesting, which negatively impacts the quality and quantity of salt produced.
What was the impact of the ASIN Law on the salt industry in the Philippines?
-The ASIN Law mandated that all salt sold in the country be iodized, which led to the decline of the local salt industry as many salt farmers could not iodize their salt and selling non-iodized salt became technically illegal.
How much does a salt maker earn for a sack of salt after about 8 months of work?
-A salt maker earns between 200 to 300 pesos for every sack of salt after approximately 8 months of work.
What are the different depositories used in the salt-making process and what is their purpose?
-The different depositories used in the salt-making process are 'deposito', 'primera', 'segunda', 'tercera', and 'ultimo'. They are used to store seawater in different stages of salinity to increase the richness of the salt.
What is the significance of the amendment to the ASIN Law regarding artisanal salts?
-The amendment to the ASIN Law carves out artisanal salts from the iodization mandate, allowing them to be sold legally. This aims to support small local farmers and promote the revival of traditional salt-making practices.
What is the importance of supporting local salt producers?
-Supporting local salt producers helps sustain their livelihoods and traditions, brings unique flavors to consumers' tables, and encourages discussions about the state of agricultural systems and the impact of climate change on local industries.
How does the weather affect the quality of salt produced by the salt makers?
-The weather significantly affects the quality of salt. Salt harvested during the northeast monsoon is considered better, while salt harvested during rainy weather becomes more coarse in texture and of lower quality.
What is the role of the 'banigan' in the salt-making process?
-The 'banigan' is a flat base established on the salt beds by piling mounds of mud. It serves as the surface where salt water is dried to produce salt.
What are the challenges faced by salt makers due to the weather and climate change?
-Salt makers face challenges such as unpredictable weather leading to rain during the dry season, which can wash away salt beds, require additional work to clean and prepare the beds again, and result in a loss of harvest and income.
Outlines
π The Decline of the Philippine Salt Industry
The first paragraph introduces the Philippines as an archipelago with the fifth longest shoreline in the world, which historically supported a thriving salt industry. However, this tradition is now fading. The script pays tribute to the 'irasans', traditional salt beds, and the salt makers who work under harsh conditions. It recounts the story of Nerly Kahalili, a 55-year-old salt maker, and outlines the laborious process of salt production, from cleaning salt beds during the dry season to transferring seawater between basins to increase salinity before the final evaporation and harvesting. The paragraph also discusses the impact of import liberalization, urbanization, and the Asin Law of 1995 on the decline of salt farms and the livelihoods of salt makers.
π Salt Harvesting and the Impact of Climate Change
The second paragraph delves into the various uses of the salt harvested at different times, with the first harvest being grayish and used for preservation, while the subsequent, whiter harvest is sold to bakeries and for direct consumption. The earnings of salt makers are meager, and climate change has significantly affected their work, with unpredictable weather patterns disrupting the harvest season. The narrative includes personal accounts from salt makers on how rain during the summer months has led to failed harvests and financial struggles. The effects of weather on salt quality are also described, with the salt being coarser when harvested during rainy weather. The paragraph ends with the salt makers' resilience and acceptance of the uncertainties they face due to climate change and the ASIN Law's impact on their industry.
ποΈ The Legacy of the ASIN Law and the Future of Salt Making
The third paragraph discusses the challenges faced by the salt industry due to the ASIN Law, which mandates the iodization of all salt sold in the Philippines. This law, while aimed at addressing iodine deficiency, inadvertently led to the decline of the traditional salt industry, as many salt farmers could not iodize their salt and were forced to abandon their trade. The paragraph highlights the struggles of salt farmers, the lack of interest in the craft, and the impact of the law on their sales and livelihoods. However, there is hope with the recent amendment to the law that excludes artisanal salts from the iodization mandate, allowing them to be sold legally. The amendment aims to support small local farmers and promote the diversity of salt-making processes across the country, potentially leading to a Geographical Indication for local products. The paragraph concludes with a call to action to support local salt producers and to engage in discussions about the state of agricultural systems.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Archipelago
π‘Salt Industry
π‘Salt Beds
π‘Salt Harvesting
π‘Urbanization
π‘Asin Law
π‘Salt Makers
π‘Climate Change
π‘Iodization
π‘Geographical Indication
π‘Artisanal Salts
Highlights
The Philippines has the fifth longest shoreline in the world, with over 36,000 km, leading to an abundance of salt.
Salt making in the Philippines is a dying tradition, with the number of salt farms dwindling in recent years.
In the early 1990s, the Philippines was self-sufficient in salt with 5 major producers. But import liberalization and urbanization led to a decline.
The Asin Law passed in 1995, requiring all salt to be iodized, dealt a major blow to the traditional salt industry.
Salt farmers were forced to abandon their craft as selling non-iodized salt became technically illegal under the Asin Law.
The artisanal salt making process is labor-intensive, taking place during the dry season and involving meticulous preparation beforehand.
Salt makers use a series of depositories to gradually increase the salinity level of the seawater through evaporation.
Different harvests yield salt of varying colors and uses, from grayish salt for preservation to whiter salt for baking and consumption.
Salt farmers earn a meager income of just 200-300 pesos per sack of salt after 8 months of hard work.
Unpredictable weather and the effects of climate change have made salt farming even more challenging and risky.
The traditional salt industry has been struggling to compete with imported, iodized salt that is cheaper than locally produced salt.
An amendment to the Asin Law has recently passed, carving out artisanal salts from the iodization requirement and allowing them to be sold.
The bill aims to help small local salt farmers compete globally and promote the unique salt making processes in different regions of the Philippines.
The future of the Irasan and the traditional salt industry remains uncertain, but supporting local salt producers can help spark a revival.
The documentary serves as a love letter to the beautiful salt beds of the past and the few remaining salt farmers who carry on the tradition.
The salt farmers' stories highlight the challenges they face from climate change, changing consumer preferences, and government policies.
The documentary calls on viewers to support local salt producers and engage in conversations about the state of our agricultural systems.
Transcripts
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