Red and White Village Cooperative Partners with Modern Retailers to Strengthen Village Economy
Jakarta – The government has emphasized a new strategy for empowering the village economy through the Red and White Village/Sub-district Cooperative (Kopdes) program, which is not only designed to compete but also to collaborate with modern retail networks.
This approach aims to strengthen the role of cooperatives as the backbone of the local economy while opening up space for synergy with large business actors.
Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono said the government does not view the existence of modern retailers such as Alfamart and Indomaret as a threat, but rather as strategic partners if managed within a cooperative framework that benefits both parties while expanding access to consumption in villages.
“The Red and White Village Cooperative Program provides a significant opportunity for local products to be more widely distributed and reach consumers across the country. This isn’t just about competition, but about building a strong and equitable village economic ecosystem,” said Ferry.
Trade Minister Budi Santoso also expressed a similar sentiment, emphasizing that modern retailers could actually become partners in distributing products marketed through cooperatives.
According to Budi, cooperation with minimarket networks and distributors is not only possible, but can also be an opportunity to strengthen the distribution of local products through cooperatives.
“This is a great opportunity to collaborate with minimarkets and distributors to distribute their products through village cooperatives,” Budi said, welcoming the integration idea.
This collaborative approach reflects the government’s efforts to ensure that Kopdes Merah Putih not only thrives in competition but also expands its market network in collaboration with modern retailers without hampering the village’s economic function.
In line with this, the government is strengthening support for village cooperatives through the physical development of Kopdes units, which have reached thousands of locations. The goal is to have thousands of cooperatives operational and serving as economic distribution points at the local level, supporting equitable village economic growth while simultaneously providing space for MSMEs to thrive.
Thus, state policy not only guides cooperatives to compete healthily in the market but also encourages the involvement of modern retail as part of a mutually reinforcing ecosystem for more inclusive and sustainable village economic growth.
