Speaking in Jakarta on Monday, Adi highlighted that the soon-to-be-launched program is expected to strengthen various other pro-people programs, especially those aimed at maintaining national food stability.
The Bapanas head remarked that the cooperatives will help expand and equalize people's access to affordable food.
"Earlier, during the coordination meeting led by the coordinating minister for food, we prepared the launch of the Red and White Village Cooperatives on July 19," he noted.
The Bapanas head confirmed that his agency will contribute by setting up Food Kiosks as part of the cooperative ecosystem.
Government intervention programs, such as the 10-kilogram rice assistance and Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) rice, will also involve village cooperatives for distribution.
According to Adi, SPHP rice, which is sold at a lower price, has positively impacted food price stability at the consumer level.
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This is supported by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data, which shows that the price of medium-quality rice at mills dropped from Rp13,071 (around US$0.81) per kilogram in late 2023 to Rp12,447 per kilogram in late 2024.
Throughout 2024, he remarked that the government has distributed 1.9 million tons of rice assistance and 1.4 million tons of SPHP rice. For 2025, SPHP rice distribution has reached 181.2 thousand tons.
"In the future, the distribution of SPHP rice will also involve the Red and White Village Cooperatives," Adi remarked.
Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan stated that Food Kiosks within the Red and White Village Cooperatives are expected to shorten the currently lengthy supply chain, making staple food prices more affordable.
The Indonesian government has established around 80 thousand Red and White Village Cooperatives, envisaged as hubs of economic and social services in village communities, offering savings, loans, and clinic services, among others.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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