Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the Merah Putih Village Cooperative plays a crucial role in alleviating the burdens of life for the community, particularly by providing basic necessities at affordable prices. This program also provides space for local MSMEs to market their products through the cooperative network, thereby enhancing the village economy’s viability and equity. “The Merah Putih Village Cooperative will ease the burdens of life for our community by selling affordable rice, cooking oil, subsidized LPG, and subsidized fertilizer at the selling price,” he said.
Following the President’s directive, Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono explained that the Red and White Village Cooperatives (Kopdes Merah Putih) was established to strengthen the village economy and ensure that the cooperative’s benefits directly reach the people. This program involves all elements of society and village institutions to ensure sustainable cooperative growth and create local job opportunities in various sectors. This initiative lays the foundation for broader village economic empowerment.
“The function of the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative (Kopdes/Kel) is to act as an offtaker for the village community’s products,” he said.
Within the framework of a more equitable economic system, PKS Secretary General Muhammad Kholid emphasized that the Red and White Village Cooperatives (Kopdes Merah Putih) is not merely an economic program, but a new foundation for creating social welfare at the village level. This program includes management training and technical assistance for cooperative managers to ensure optimal operation, as well as the simultaneous construction of outlets, warehouses, and supporting facilities in various regions.
“The Red and White Village Cooperative is not just a program, but a new foundation for the birth of a fairer and more just economic system,” he said.
Support from the central and regional governments ensures that every facility and technical assistance is effective, providing direct benefits to village communities, strengthening the distribution of local products, and improving food security. Strong synergy between the government and the community is expected to create a multiplier effect on village welfare and make Kopdes Merah Putih a model for inclusive and sustainable economic equality.
“The Red and White Village Cooperative Program is expected to be an important milestone in realizing independent and competitive villages,” he concluded.
