Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) met with the\nPresident Director of PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara, Joao Mota. The\nmeeting discussed strengthening the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives,\nincluding the absorption of PKH social aid recipients as workers.<\/p>\n
In the meeting, which was also attended by Deputy Minister of Social\nAffairs Agus Jabo Priyono, they discussed the readiness for implementing\nthe programme, from institutional schemes, recruitment, training, to\ndistribution systems and digitalisation of village cooperatives.<\/p>\n
Gus Ipul emphasised that the programme must be carried out honestly\nand realistically in accordance with field conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most important thing is to work maximally, be honest with the\navailable capabilities, and continue to provide solutions so that this\nprogramme is truly felt to be beneficial by the community,\u201d said Gus\nIpul in a written statement on Tuesday (14\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n
He also appreciated the concept of the Merah Putih Village\nCooperatives, which he considered simple yet functional, with a design\nthat allows utilisation as a warehouse, distribution outlet, and village\neconomic activity centre.<\/p>\n
Joao Mota explained that PKH recipients are the top priority in\nrecruiting cooperative workers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe go directly to the community and dialogue with PKH recipients.\nThe most important thing is honesty and basic experience. This programme\nopens opportunities for them to be empowered,\u201d Joao explained.<\/p>\n
Recruitment is focused on local villagers with qualifications\nadjusted to operational needs. Positions such as sales assistants,\ncashiers, and logistics staff can be filled by residents with a minimum\njunior high school education and basic work experience.<\/p>\n
To support operations, Agrinas is preparing tiered training. Each\ncooperative will have two deputy unit heads who receive intensive\ntraining for 10-12 days, then train around 15-16 operational staff at\nthe village level.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis system is digital-based with measurable operational standards.\nPerformance will be monitored, so the cooperatives remain optimal and\naccountable,\u201d Joao added.<\/p>\n
Systematically, the management of goods flow is controlled from\nAgrinas\u2019 head office, which connects producers with distribution\ncentres, then channels them to village cooperatives for sale to the\ncommunity. The cooperatives also function as aggregators of local\nproduction such as harvests, thereby cutting long distribution chains\nand lowering prices at the village level.<\/p>\n
From an institutional perspective, all villagers become participatory\nmembers of the cooperative. The majority of profits are returned to the\nvillage, while Agrinas provides assistance for two years of transition\nbefore full management is handed over to the village cooperatives.<\/p>\n
Agus Jabo stated that several regions have shown infrastructure\nreadiness.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn some areas, cooperative buildings are already ready. This becomes\nan important capital so that the programme can run immediately and\nprovide benefits,\u201d said Agus Jabo.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ministry-of-social-affairs-and-agrinas-discuss-absorption-of-pkh-recipients-into-merah-putih-cooperatives-1776178245", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }