Coordinating Minister for Food: Multi-stakeholder Participation is Needed to Develop the Red and White Village Cooperative

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Zulkifli Hasan, visited the Merah Putih Candirejo Village Cooperative in Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java, on Thursday (August 28, 8). Magelang Regent Grengseng Pamuji, President Director of InJourney Destination Management, Febrina Intan, and Director of PT TWB, Mardijono Nugroho, also accompanied the visit.

During his visit, the Coordinating Minister for Food, who also serves as head of the Red and White Village Cooperative Task Force, expressed confidence that cooperatives could create centers of economic activity in villages. Furthermore, he expressed the hope that these cooperatives would strengthen food security and the local economy of village communities.

According to Zulhas, this cooperative will allow village youth to train and develop themselves as entrepreneurs. The cooperative will also connect with approximately 80 other cooperatives in Indonesia, enabling the exchange of information and business activities.

Zulkifli Hasan emphasized that this cooperative's purpose is not to compete with existing village-owned enterprises (BUMDes), but rather to strengthen and empower each other. Currently, nearly 1.700 Merah Putih Village Cooperatives in Central Java are operational, out of a target of 8.000.

"We have 10 cooperatives that will begin operating this month, although there are still issues related to outstanding loan ceilings. We hope this can be resolved in the next week or two," said Zulhas.

Zulhas also emphasized that this cooperative is not a form of financial assistance, but rather a business that requires hard work from all parties involved. To address potential challenges, a task force has been formed, led by the regent and relevant officials in each district.

"If cooperative administrators encounter difficulties, they can discuss them with the task force or the regent. If the problem cannot be resolved at the district level, we are ready to involve the Coordinating Minister and other ministers, and even report the matter to the president if necessary," he explained.

Zulkifli Hasan emphasized the need for collaboration and support from various parties to support the development of the KDMP. 

"The regent needs to support cooperatives. State-owned enterprises need to support cooperatives, so they can synergize to develop the potential here," he explained.

The Red and White Candirejo Borobudur Cooperative has become a real example of how cooperatives can play an active role in supporting food security and improving community welfare.

Through this visit, it is hoped that the synergy between the government, InJourney Destination Management as the manager of the Borobudur area and the Merah Putih Village Cooperative can be strengthened in building stronger and more sustainable food security and local economy.