The Saltmakers

This BBC World Service documentary explores the lives of the Agariyas, a centuries-old nomadic tribal community in India's Run of Kach desert, who have been harvesting salt since the 16th century. The episode highlights their precarious existence amid climate change, with unpredictable rains, rising temperatures, and dwindling groundwater threatening their traditional livelihood. Despite producing 75% of India’s salt, Agariyas earn as little as 3% of the final product value, live in extreme hardship, and face eviction from their ancestral land due to its designation as a sanctuary for endangered wild asses. Yet, resilience and innovation are emerging: scientists are introducing green concrete-lined salt pans to reduce water loss and improve yield, while activists from the Committee for Agaria Rights Protection are helping farmers secure land rights, access solar power, and establish free schools and health initiatives. Some, like salt farmer Babu Bhai, are even profiting from selling bittern—a byproduct of salt production—while others rely on spiritual faith to endure uncertainty. The episode paints a poignant portrait of a culture at risk, fighting to preserve tradition in the face of environmental and systemic challenges.