Sudaryono expressed optimism that the initiative will help farmers and fishers in villages sell their produce and catch at a fair price. Thus, the establishment of such cooperatives would be a strategic step to strengthen food security and improve the economy of rural communities.
"President Prabowo Subianto led a meeting to discuss how to ensure that people-centered programs really reach villages throughout Indonesia. For example, the Red and White village cooperatives can be off-takers of agricultural products in villages," he told the press here on Saturday.
President Prabowo Subianto led a limited meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta earlier on Friday.
The deputy minister informed that the village cooperatives are designed to be entities that will not only manage business at the village level but also provide guarantees to farmers and fishers that their produce and catch will be bought.
He added that the cooperatives are expected to manage local food supplies efficiently, starting from the production process to the distribution to the community.
Therefore, he said he believes that the village cooperatives will revive the potential of human resources in villages.
In the future, through the professional management of village cooperatives, village communities will also have the opportunity to learn and develop skills in business management, food distribution, and logistics.
"This is an essential step to empower village communities to be more independent and productive," he said.
On a separate occasion, Cooperatives Minister Budi Arie Setiadi underscored that the Red and White village cooperatives are a solution to improving the welfare of village communities.
The government is planning to establish such cooperatives in 70 thousand to 80 thousand villages across Indonesia.
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Translator: Genta Tenri, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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