Jember, East Java \u2014 The Jember Regency Government has handed over 23\ntrucks and 25 open-bed vehicles, or pickups, to support the operational\nactivities of the Merah Putih Village\/Sub-district Cooperative.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support of this fleet is part of an effort to strengthen the\ndistribution of community production, maintain the price stability of\nagricultural commodities, and encourage village economic independence,\u201d\nsaid the Regent of Jember, Muhammad Fawait, during the vehicle handover\nceremony at the Jember Regency Office courtyard on Monday.<\/p>\n
At the event, themed \u201cTogether with Merah Putih Village\/Sub-district\nCooperatives, Building a Strong, Independent, and Prosperous Village\nEconomy,\u201d the Regent expressed his hope that the Merah Putih Cooperative\nwould act as an economic driver for villages and an instrument for\nequitable development.<\/p>\n
The handover was conducted alongside the Regional Leadership\nCoordination Forum (Forkopimda), the Department of Cooperatives and\nMicro Enterprises, and village governments as a form of support for the\nnational Merah Putih Village\/Sub-district Cooperative programme. This\nprogramme aims to strengthen the people\u2019s economy and expand development\nequity down to the village level.<\/p>\n
\u201cCooperatives play a strategic role in reducing poverty and income\ninequality through the strengthening of village-based economies,\u201d he\nstated. He added that the philosophy of a cooperative is economic\nequality, the empowerment of micro-economies, and the reduction of\nincome disparity. \u201cTherefore, the presence of the Merim Putih\nCooperative is expected to drive more inclusive and equitable economic\ngrowth.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the Regent, popularly known as Gus Fawait, the\ncooperative was not established to compete with private businesses or\nlocal grocery stores. Instead, the cooperative is intended to fill\neconomic gaps that have not been optimally served while strengthening\nthe distribution chain for village commodities.<\/p>\n
As a further strengthening measure, the Jember Regency Government\nwill play a role in maintaining the stability of paddy prices through\ncooperation with Bulog (the National Logistics Agency). Through this\nscheme, the cooperative is expected to assist in the absorption of\nfarmers\u2019 harvests, ensuring that paddy prices remain in accordance with\ngovernment regulations and providing better economic value for\nfarmers.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the Merah Putih Village\/Sub-district Cooperative is also\nprojected to become part of the supply chain for the Free Nutritious\nMeal (MBG) programme. Leading agricultural products and village\ncommodities will be absorbed through the cooperative to meet the needs\nof the Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), ensuring that the\neconomic benefits are felt directly by the village community.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jember-regency-hands-over-trucks-and-pickups-to-merah-putih-cooperative-1780935118", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }