Speaking at the official launch of Merah Putih Village Cooperatives by President Prabowo Subianto in Bentangan Village, Wonosari District, Klaten, Central Java, on Monday, Hasan stated that 80,081 cooperative units have been legally established, with 108 of them ready to start operations.
“This is a massive effort, the result of everyone's hard work. It is just the beginning—only 108 units are operational so far. Our next target is to ensure that within three months, all cooperatives are running in their respective villages and sub-districts,” Hasan remarked.
He expressed confidence that having these cooperatives fully operational would foster the emergence of new business hubs across Indonesia within the next three to four years.
“This movement has already started at the grassroots and is underway. I am confident all 80,081 units will stand strong, with one million managers ready to assist rural communities in developing these cooperatives,” he stated.
Following President Prabowo Subianto's directive, Hasan emphasized the importance of achieving food self-sufficiency amid rising global uncertainty, stating that Indonesia must not rely on food imports.
The Merah Putih Cooperatives promote a people-centric economic model aimed at empowering farmers and fishers through a system rooted in mutual cooperation and community values, he noted.
The minister also emphasized that these cooperatives are intended not only as distribution channels but also to cut supply chain inefficiencies and eliminate middlemen and loan sharks.
“We must be sovereign. We must be self-reliant, empowering farmers through a fair and sustainable system. We are building a village-based agricultural ecosystem,” he remarked.
Related news: Kopdes Merah Putih: Grassroots engine in Prabowo’s anti-poverty push
Related news: Village co-ops can tap local potential: Susanto
Related news: The road to develop domestically produced Merah Putih vaccine
Translator: Teguh/Aris, Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
