By: Feronika Jasin )*
Cooperatives play an important role in improving the welfare of local communities. In recent years, these cooperatives have become the main pillar in driving the village economy, providing various benefits that are directly felt by its residents.
As an economic institution based on the principle of mutual cooperation, the Cooperative has succeeded in optimizing the resources available in the village for the common good. By being managed transparently and professionally, this cooperative has succeeded in creating various programs that support the welfare of its members.
One of the efforts made is to facilitate financial access for people who have difficulty getting loans from banks. Through a low-interest loan scheme, this cooperative helps people to develop micro and small businesses, which in turn increases their income.
President Prabowo Subianto’s plan to launch 70 thousand Red and White Village Cooperatives (Kopdes Merah Putih) throughout Indonesia by 2025 is a strategic step that has great potential in improving the village economy. With an estimated budget of IDR 350 trillion, this project could be a big leap in local economic development. However, behind its ambition, there are a number of challenges that must be faced to ensure the success of this initiative.
The idea of establishing a village cooperative has the potential to strengthen the people’s economy, the large scale of this project can create a number of challenges. With a large cost, which is around IDR 5 billion per cooperative, the disbursement of funds and their management are certainly not easy. The process of distributing funds that are right on target will be the key to ensuring that the funds are not wasted. Without transparent management and a solid system, these large funds could fall into the wrong hands or not be used optimally. Therefore, a strict monitoring system and good management are needed so that the funds really reach the cooperatives that need them.
In addition, cooperatives also provide various products needed by the community at more affordable prices. By collaborating with suppliers, cooperatives are able to provide daily necessities such as basic necessities, building materials, and agricultural equipment, at more competitive prices compared to the outside market. This certainly reduces the burden of expenses for people who were previously forced to buy at higher prices outside the village.
Deputy Minister of National Development Planning, Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard, said the importance of synergy between the government and the community to support Kopdes Merah Putih, is very relevant to current conditions. Village cooperatives have great potential as an effective instrument to improve community welfare while alleviating poverty in rural areas. However, to realize this potential, strong synergy between the government and the community is the main key to success.
The government plays a strategic role in providing policy support, financing, and infrastructure facilities needed to establish village cooperatives. Government support in the form of funds and training for cooperative managers is very important to ensure that cooperatives can operate well and sustainably. With policies that facilitate access to financing for village cooperatives, such as low-interest loan schemes or capital assistance programs, cooperatives can develop more quickly without being hampered by capital problems that are often faced by small businesses in rural areas.
Another innovation carried out by Kopdes Merah Putih is to open up new business opportunities in the fields of agriculture and livestock. Through training and extension programs, this cooperative has succeeded in improving the skills and knowledge of village farmers and livestock breeders. Not only that, the cooperative also facilitates the marketing of its members’ agricultural and livestock products, so that the products produced can be accepted in a wider market. Thus, the income of farmers and livestock breeders increases, and the village economy as a whole also develops.
Developing Kopdes Merah Putih is not an easy job. As conveyed by the Minister of Cooperatives, Budi Arie, the stages of the roadmap for developing the Red and White Village Cooperative are indeed full of challenges. However, although this long journey requires a lot of effort and resources, the great potential of village cooperatives in empowering communities is very significant. Therefore, although the obstacles faced are not few, systematic and collaborative steps can open up great opportunities for the rural economy. This cooperative also plays a role in improving the quality of life of the community through various social activities. Every year, the cooperative holds social activities such as providing scholarships to children of cooperative members who excel, health education, and a help for families in need. This is all done to create a village that is not only economically prosperous, but also in social and educational aspects.
With the various positive contributions that have been made, Kopdes Merah Putih increasingly shows that well-managed economic institutions can have a major impact on improving the quality of life of village communities. Its success in creating jobs, increasing income, and improving social welfare proves that cooperatives have great potential in building an independent and prosperous society. As a model, this cooperative can be an inspiration for other villages to develop local potential and create shared prosperity.
)* Village Cooperative Development Analyst PT Solusi Koperasi Sejahtera
