MGNF drives the mission to revive, promote and develop Indian indigenous industries

IIMB is a business school with a consistent and significant focus on Sustainability and Social Impact. The school is constantly reinventing itself to stay relevant and contribute towards nation building. This direction includes programmes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship, which is a Certificate Programme in Public Policy and Management designed at the initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India (GoI), and implemented in collaboration with State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs). The objective is to develop a cadre of professionals who will work towards improving the skilling ecosystem at the district level and act as catalysts of social change.

MGNF Fellows Shama Pradeep Kamble and Bindiya Sham Gadkar, who are engaged with South and North Goa respectively, have been providing significant and meaningful support to the district administration to improve the skill development program delivery.

Salt production in the economy of Goa: Goa is situated on the southwest coast and therefore it has the advantage of producing salt along the salt pans in the state. Salt extraction is a small-scale industry in Goa with a good number of people being engaged in this business for their livelihood. The salt extraction sites, which remain closed during the rainy season due to water fill, are mostly operational from October to May. The salt produced in these units is unprocessed and is locally known as ‘Mote Meet’ or fat salt due to the size of the salt blocks, which is mostly used for local consumption, fish drying, pickle making, etc. The local salt makers explain that their salt is more natural with less impurities as well as more edible, compared to the expensive salt available in the market. The owners of such units have also formed an association for fixing of prices and resolving other issues.

The salt extraction sites in Goa, which remain closed during the rainy season due to water fill, are mostly operational from October to May.

Salt extraction unit in Curca village and MGNF intervention: One such salt extraction unit that has received support and mentorship from MGNF is located in the Curca village of North Goa district and is run by Antonio and Jamit Fernandes. The MGNF team has held extensive meetings with Antonio, Jamit and others engaged in salt farming, during which the Fellows have explained about the benefits of using solar panels, including evaporation and increased production of salt. Such panels would be set up under the Directorate of Agriculture subsidy scheme for use of modern equipment. 

A branding and marketing training session is also on the cards, to be conducted to explain the ways and benefits of packaging products in smaller quantities (currently being sold locally in bulk quantities), and branding it as ‘Goan Origin Salt’ to acquire GST registration number. By doing so, these units can be brought under a formal structure of taxation, resulting in yield of revenue for the state as well as higher incomes for the people engaged in this business. With GST numbers, they will also be able to sell their products in shops, the Bagayatdar Bazar and other multi stores. This in turn will result in employment opportunities for more people in the supply chain.

A good number of local people in Goa are engaged in the salt business for their livelihood.

Keeping in mind all the regulations and procedures, MGNF is striving to provide the necessary growth impetus to such small units by helping them fight the dearth of resources and other bottlenecks.