By: Rivka Mayangsari
Amid the ongoing global economic turmoil, Indonesia has shown real action through strategic programs aimed at strengthening the people’s economy, one of which is the development of the Merah Putih Cooperative. This program is born out of the government’s commitment to making villages the center of national economic growth that is strong and independent.
This initiative is not merely a slogan, but a tangible manifestation of the state’s presence, ensuring the welfare of the people, particularly those in rural areas, is guaranteed and sustainable. The Merah Putih Cooperative has become a driving force for the people’s economy, grounded in the principles of mutual cooperation, family, and togetherness—values that have long been a part of Indonesia’s national identity.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Sudaryono, views the development of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative as a reflection of the government’s commitment to the people, especially in rural areas. According to him, the government aims to implement development that starts from the people, involving the community in villages so that they can truly feel the results of development, in line with the vision of President Prabowo Subianto.
He further explained that through this program, the state wants to ensure its presence reaches the lowest levels of society, providing cooperatives not just as economic entities but also as centers for distributing essential goods such as basic foodstuffs, medicines, savings and loan services, and even village clinics. The government is also committed to financing these cooperatives through the State Budget (APBN).
Sudaryono is confident that the Merah Putih Village Cooperative will be an effective way for rural communities to obtain basic goods at fair and affordable prices. In this way, the cooperative will ensure that government policies truly reach and benefit the common people.
In addition, he emphasized that the creation of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative is motivated by the desire to improve the economic welfare of the people through a people-centered economy based on mutual cooperation and independence.
Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, Budi Arie Setiadi, also highlighted the important role of the Merah Putih Cooperative as a strategic breakthrough in improving the national food supply chain. He stated that the presence of the Village Cooperative is a concrete solution to cut the dominance of middlemen who have long controlled the prices and distribution of agricultural products in rural areas.
According to him, the work system offered by the Merah Putih Cooperative is much more flexible compared to middlemen, because cooperatives not only function as places for saving and lending but also as collectors of the people’s harvest. The presence of the cooperative as a collector of rural agricultural products is believed to create a more just, sustainable economic ecosystem that favors farmers.
He is confident that with this system, farmers and rural economic actors will be better protected from the price monopoly practices often carried out by middlemen, while also strengthening the bargaining position of rural communities in the national economic system.
Head of the Department of Industry, Trade, and Cooperatives of North Morowali, Yanismal Botuale, also emphasized that the establishment of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative is part of President Prabowo Subianto’s broader program focused on strengthening rural economies through food independence and sustainable management of village resources.
He explained that this cooperative will be an important instrument in supporting the food self-sufficiency program, strengthening village logistics, and empowering micro-economies through various business units, such as grocery stores, affordable medicine services, savings and loan cooperatives, and village clinics.
According to him, this cooperative does not only encourage the growth of the rural economy but also teaches communities how to manage resources independently and responsibly, in order to build sustainable economic independence.
More than just an economic program, the Merah Putih Cooperative is a tangible representation of the government’s determination to uphold social justice and equitable welfare throughout the country. This program shows that the government is not only making promises but is actively moving forward with policies that favor the common people.
With transparent management and funding support from the State Budget (APBN), this cooperative is expected to strengthen the distribution of essential goods and other important services in rural areas, ensuring that rural communities are no longer victims of price imbalances and unfair distribution systems.
The Merah Putih Cooperative is designed to be the new heart of the rural economy, driving productive activities with a spirit of mutual cooperation and high solidarity. This program is expected to bring villages into an era of economic independence that not only benefits the local communities but also strengthens the national economy.
The Merah Putih Cooperative is an important milestone in the transformation of the national economy, positioning the village as the starting point for the growth of the people’s economy. This program not only promises prosperity but also assures the people that the state is present and on their side.
Through strong cooperatives and a mutual cooperation-based economic system, the dream of achieving social justice for all Indonesians is no longer just a dream but a reality that is being continuously realized together.
*) Economic Observer
