Jakarta-The presence of the Red and White Cooperative is an important milestone in efforts to strengthen the village economy, while changing the narrative of backwardness into a story of empowerment. This program is not only a government initiative, but also a representation of the collective spirit of village communities to become subjects of development. In facing the challenges of modernization that often erode village independence, this cooperative is present as a solution that builds the village economy in an inclusive and sustainable manner.
Deputy Minister of Cooperatives, Ferry Juliantono, emphasized that the Red and White Village Cooperative program, which is a major initiative of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, is designed to strengthen the rural economy without burdening the state budget.
“This program aims to create a mutually beneficial economic ecosystem and eliminate dependence on loan sharks or online loans. This shows a commitment to building a stronger and more independent economic foundation for rural communities,” said Ferry.
One of the main strengths of the Red and White Cooperative lies in its ability to build a sustainable economic ecosystem. Village communities are not only consumers, but also producers and active players in the economic value chain, from processing agricultural products to developing products based on local culture. Through cooperatives, villages can utilize their local potential and process it into products with high added value, which ultimately drives community welfare.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Sudaryono, said that the government is targeting the establishment of 80 thousand Red and White Village Cooperatives throughout Indonesia, which will be launched on July 12, 2025.
“The government hopes that these cooperatives can drive the village economy more optimally, with a profit target of Rp 1 billion per cooperative per year. This program is also part of an effort to reduce the gap between urban and rural areas, providing greater access to markets and resources for village MSMEs,” added Sudaryono.
The Red and White Cooperative not only serves as a driver of the local economy, but also as an important instrument in strengthening national resilience. With more independent villages, the distribution of development becomes more even, reducing existing social and economic disparities. The Minister of Cooperatives, Budi Arie Setiadi, emphasized the importance of the role of technology in accelerating cooperative development.
“The official digital platform kopdesmerahputih.kop.id is a strategic step to facilitate the registration and management of cooperatives independently,” said Budi Arie.
With the continued development of this cooperative, the future of villages in Indonesia is increasingly bright. Not only as recipients of policies, villages are now becoming economic forces that determine the direction of national development. The Red and White Cooperative is a symbol of the revival of the village economy, which brings new hope to the people of Indonesia. [^]
