JAYAPURA – Efforts to strengthen *Merah Putih* Village/Urban Village Cooperatives (KDKMP) are being actively pursued as a strategic move to bolster the grassroots economy and enhance community self-reliance in Papua. Through synergy between the government, financing institutions, and universities, these cooperatives are being steered to become village economic service hubs capable of linking various development programs and unlocking business opportunities based on local potential.
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan emphasized that the *Merah Putih* Village Cooperatives would serve as community service hubs at the village level—acting not merely as transaction points, but also as distribution centers for various government programs.
“It is ensured that the cooperatives will function not just as places to shop, but as distribution hubs for a range of government programs—spanning social assistance, subsidized fertilizers, and the procurement of agricultural and fishery produce,” Zulkifli Hasan asserted.
Under this scheme, the cooperatives will distribute food aid, agricultural machinery and equipment, subsidized fertilizers, cash assistance, and 3-kilogram LPG cylinders. The government is also preparing operational support to ensure the distribution of goods and village produce becomes increasingly effective.
Cooperative strengthening is also being pursued through an incubation program implemented by the LPDB-KUMKM (Revolving Fund Management Agency for Cooperatives and MSMEs) in collaboration with Ottow Geissler University Papua. This program equips cooperative management with skills in governance, business planning, and financing readiness, thereby making the cooperatives more professional and competitive.
Deva Rachman, Director of General Affairs and Legal at LPDB-KUMKM, stated that cooperative development is being approached comprehensively to enable them to grow into healthy, sustainable economic institutions.
“The primary target of the incubation program is to prepare cooperatives to possess good governance and viable business models, and to be ready to access LPDB-KUMKM revolving fund financing,” said Deva Rachman.
Meanwhile, Moses Yomunga, Head of the Business Incubation Center at Ottow Geissler University Papua, noted that continuous mentoring is key to enabling cooperatives to develop in alignment with regional potential. “We hope these 15 cooperatives can serve as role models for cooperatives across Papua. Papua possesses extraordinary potential but requires guidance, management strengthening, and access to financing,” concluded Moses Yomunga.
Strengthening the ‘Merah Putih’ village and urban community cooperatives in Papua is expected to lay a crucial foundation for the growth of self-reliant village economies, expand business opportunities for the community, and sustainably enhance well-being.