Coordinating Minister for Food Calls on Merah Putih Village Cooperatives to Actively Absorb Agricultural Produce

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) has called on Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (Kopdes) to actively absorb agricultural commodity production when prices decline in order to protect residents’ incomes and maintain food supply stability.

“Merah Putih Village Cooperatives must become distribution centres. When rice paddy is not absorbed by the market, the cooperative buys it. When fish or eggs are not sold, the cooperative takes them,” Zulhas said in a statement from Jakarta on Friday.

Zulhas conducted a direct inspection of the Merah Putih Kopdes Endang Rejo in Central Lampung Regency on Thursday (26 February). During the inspection, he stated that village cooperatives should not merely sell basic commodities but should also serve as intermediaries between agricultural, livestock, and fishing production and broader markets.

“This is where supplies are channelled, including for requirements under the Free Nutritious Meals programme,” he said.

The Merah Putih Kopdes Endang Rejo has 107 members with established management and oversight structures. The cooperative is currently in the consolidation and operational preparation phase, including the strengthening of administration and working capital.

On the occasion, Zulhas also expressed appreciation to the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) for their support in constructing the physical infrastructure of Merah Putih Kopdes Endang Rejo in the spirit of unified command to accelerate village development.

Zulhas believes that Merah Putih Kopdes can become a stabilisation instrument at the village level when supply surpluses depress prices at the producer level.

In addition to absorbing agricultural production, Merah Putih Kopdes Endang Rejo is planned to develop services providing basic necessities, village financial services, agricultural and livestock production inputs, as well as cold chain storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses.

He also encouraged the cooperative to be managed professionally and accountably through management training and the appointment of permanent management staff.

Nationally, the government has targeted the completion of 30,000 Merah Putih cooperative buildings by May–June before entering the operational phase. As of 5 February 2026, approximately 680 buildings have been fully constructed, with the majority located in Central Java, East Java, and West Java.