Abstract:
Sri Lanka is an island that is involved in salt production. The main objective
of this research is to find out the socio-economic status of salt producing
households in the Kalpitiya area. This research also tries to discover the
determinants of the social status of salt producing households, prevailing
problems faced by salt production households, and suggests policies and
recommendations for improving the socio-economic conditions of the salt
producing households in the study area. Primary data for this study were
collected using a structured questionnaire and discussions in five villages in
the Kalpitiya region using the purposive sampling method and the random
sampling method, and data were analyzed using various statistical tools and
techniques. The qualitative data about social status was analyzed by
descriptive methods using MS-Excel and the quantitative data showing
economic status was analyzed by simple statistical and multiple regression
models using SPSS. The results of this research found that the social status of
the households involved in the salt industry is slightly satisfactory. At the same
time, the income level and the savings are not satisfactory. Also, the salt-producing households are facing problems like seasonal unemployment and
low income. Moreover, according to the multiple regression analysis,
independent variables such as monthly expenditure and other income have a
significant influence on the monthly income of salt producing households.
This study suggests that providing better health care and educational
opportunities for households involved in salt production; obtaining safe
equipment through government or labor welfare institutions; providing
permanent employment opportunities; and providing interest-free or low-interest loans to salt workers through the government. The government should
take action to develop salt production through new technologies in coastal
areas that have the capability of producing salt.
