JAKARTA-The Red and White Village Cooperative (Kop Des) has been officially formed to support national food self-sufficiency initiated by President Prabowo Subianto. The inauguration of the Red and White Kop Des Task Force (Satgas) was carried out by the Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, with the support of various ministries.
“This village cooperative was formed to advance the village because the decision comes from a village government deliberation,” explained Zulhas in a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Food office, Monday (17/3/2025). This cooperative will involve the village government as a business entity responsible for its operations. The source of funding comes from the APBN and APBD to ensure the sustainability of the program.
This cooperative is expected to be a driver of the agricultural sector, agro-maritime industry, and downstreaming of natural resource-based industries. In addition, cooperatives also play a role in overcoming food distribution problems, including the procurement of fertilizer for farmers and the purchase of grain to cut the basic food supply chain.
The government is targeting the establishment of 70,000 Red and White Village Cooperatives and 10,000 marine and fisheries sector cooperatives in the next six months. It is hoped that the contribution of cooperatives to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is currently 1.07% can increase to 1.20% in 2029 and 5% in 2045.
To support food self-sufficiency, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman and Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono visited Gresik Regency, East Java, with more than 3,000 agricultural extension workers. Head of BPPSDMP, Dr. Idha Widi Arsanti, emphasized that food self-sufficiency must be achieved with a special strategy.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Sudaryono, said that the new policy through Presidential Instruction Number 3 of 2025 will increase the effectiveness of agricultural extension workers. “God willing, with this policy, we will be stronger in achieving the target of food self-sufficiency,” he said.
East Java is recorded as the region with the highest rice productivity in Indonesia, reaching 9.27 million tons in 2024. Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran is optimistic that the national target of 12 million tons of rice in 2025 can be realized. “If East Java succeeds in achieving this target, I will hold another celebration at the Petrokimia Gresik Sports Hall,” he said.
Discussions with Field Agricultural Extension Workers (PPL) discussed strategic issues, including verification of fertilizer distribution and improvement of extension worker facilities. The extension workers requested official vehicles and digital devices to increase work effectiveness. In addition, they also highlighted the appointment of Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK), especially the 35-year age limit which is an obstacle for senior extension workers.
The Red and White Village Cooperative Program is expected to be a catalyst in realizing food independence, strengthening the rural economy, and improving the welfare of farmers and fishermen throughout Indonesia. [^]
