Salt Farming in Looc

SALT FARMING IN LOOC

View of a salt farm on the way to Looc.

During the 1950's swamps in the barrios of Balikayas, Bulacan and Poblacion were converted to fishponds. During the dry season salt farming was also carried out. The salt produced is sold to retailers in Batangas, Cavite and Manila.

In Cambodia five fields are used - water to one field for one day - then to the second field for two days - similarly with the other fields - until salt is produced.

Presumably the method of salt farming would be similar to that in Cambodia. But to hasten the process, there seems to be several shallow ponds, which look as though they are concrete lined, for the final evaporation required.

Assorted ponds
Bagging Salt

In the background in the photo on the right can be seen a chute for pouring water into an evaporation pond. The workers seem to manually transfer brine in containers from a nearby pond to the chute.

The top skim of salt from the evaporative ponds is probably for table salt. The brownish salt from the bottom skim may be used for tanning hides or for fertilizer (coconut palms can utilize it).

Salt farm workers
Bagging salt in the evaporative ponds

The structure across the channel on the left foreground may act as a platform to assist the workers to fill their buckets with brine.

Reference: Salt farming in Cambodia (http://www.smaradeykhmer.org/culture/salt-farming.html)

Salt ponds with a rake

Over the central dyke on the right can be seen a long handled rake for reaching into the ponds. At other end of the handle is mounted a flat board.

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