Welcome to the heart of India's ancient salt-producing legacy. Dive into the mesmerizing world of "AGARIYA (Salt Crafters) of India," where we celebrate the age-old tradition of salt farming that has sustained communities for generations.
AGARIYA word has come from Gujarati word “Agar” meaning “Salt farm”. Thus Agariya meaning, those who do salt farming. Agariyas are engaged in salt farming traditionally over 600 years. Agariyas is socially recognized as “Chuvaliya Koli” “Miyana” “Sandhi” community all of them fall into Denotified tribe (NTDNT) category. There are 40 Nomadic and 12 de-notified tribes in Gujarat, together identified as NT-DNT. Out of these 12 de-notified tribes 3 are traditionally make salt. Their occupational identity as AGARIYA is more popular.
Agariya family reside in their native village during Monsoon and migrate to Little Rann of Kutch for 8 months. In Gujarat salt is made along the coast using sea water and in Little Rann of Kutch using subsoil brine.