Team Herald
PERNEM: The farmers from the village of Agarwada which is the only place to harvest salt in Pernem taluka are a happy lot as the long pending construction work of the footpath that leads to the salt pans has begun.
The former sarpanch Amol Raut had pushed for the footpath from Rautwada till the salt pans, the work of which is underway. The workers will now be able to at least carry the harvested salt on their two-wheelers.
“If youth dedicate themselves to the traditional occupations instead of chasing government jobs, they will definitely achieve success. Not everyone will get government jobs. Today’s youth do not want to work in the Sun but once you get used to it, it is not that difficult,” said one of the farmers, Shri Bagli.
The panchayat of Agarwada-Chopdem used to have many salt pans earlier, most of which are now left unattended. However, some farmers continued to harvest salt in traditional manner here.
“The pans have to be looked after for two to three months. After the monsoon, the water has to be emptied. Chapora river witnesses high tides twice a day and that water has to be carefully stored in the salt pans. The salt has to be harvested after 3 pm and a certain amount of water has to be left back in the pans,” added Bagli.
“The farmers have to work in the scorching heat. The completion of the footpath will reduce the efforts of the workers if the salt has to be harvested in the evening. The proper road was not built as some are eyeing these lands,” said Amol Raut.
