Jakarta – The government is accelerating the operations of the Red and White Cooperative as a strategic step to strengthen the village economy and improve community welfare. This program is aimed at becoming the main driver of community-based economic activity through institutional strengthening, access to financing, and more integrated distribution of community products.
The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, stated that cooperatives play a crucial role in building national economic independence from the village level. He stated that the government is committed to making villages centers of new, productive and sustainable economic growth. “Cooperatives must be the economic strength of the people. We want villages to become centers of independent growth,” he said.
President Prabowo also emphasized the importance of professional and transparent cooperative governance so that the benefits can be directly felt by the community. According to him, strong supervision and systems are key to the program’s effectiveness. “Good management will determine the long-term success of cooperatives,” he emphasized.
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, explained that the Red and White Cooperative is prepared to strengthen the supply chain and distribution of basic necessities at the village level. He stated that this cooperative will act as a link between community production and the wider market, thereby increasing the added value of the village economy. “This cooperative will strengthen distribution and ensure that community production is properly absorbed,” he said.
Furthermore, this program is also expected to create new jobs at the village level, especially for the younger generation. With active and productive cooperatives, communities will not only become producers but also part of the broader distribution and marketing chain. This is believed to reduce urbanization while sustainably strengthening local economies.
Zulkifli Hasan added that the government continues to encourage the gradual acceleration of the formation and operation of cooperatives in various regions. He believes institutional readiness, human resources, and support systems are crucial factors in ensuring the program’s optimal implementation. “With the right support, cooperatives can become a driving force for a sustainable village economy,” he said.
By accelerating the operation of the Merah Putih Cooperative, the government is optimistic that village economic strengthening can be implemented more broadly and have a tangible impact. This effort also emphasizes the government’s commitment to promoting economic equality through empowering communities at the grassroots level and strengthening the foundation of the national economy from the village level.
