Encouraged by LPDB, Tanaoba Lais Manekat Strengthens Role as Mentor to Village Cooperatives
Transformation of cooperatives in eastern Indonesia is gaining momentum. No longer just growing as business entities, cooperatives are evolving into ecosystems that mutually reinforce one another.
This role is demonstrated concretely by the Tanaoba Lais Manekat Savings and Loan Cooperative (TLM), which is acting as a mentor to Village/Subdistrict Merah Putih Cooperatives (KDKMP) in various regions of eastern Indonesia.
This mentoring model serves as proof that cooperatives are no longer operating in isolation but are growing through collaboration and mutual assistance among cooperatives, supported by the government and financing institutions.
The Indonesian Minister of Cooperatives, Ferry Juliantono, emphasised that the mentoring approach is a key strategy to accelerate the strengthening of KDKMP across Indonesia.
“I have instructed the LPDB and the Tanaoba Lais Manekat Savings and Loan Cooperative to jointly assist in developing village and subdistrict-level cooperative businesses, from expanding operations to strengthening capital financing. This is essential so that cooperatives truly become a new economic force for the community,” the Minister stated firmly.
He also stressed that the presence of KDKMP is not merely a programme but an instrument to transform rural communities into active economic actors with tangible capital access support.
Tanaoba Lais Manekat: From Credit Cooperative to Ecosystem Driver
As a cooperative with impressive performance and assets continuously growing to exceed Rp1.2 trillion, the Tanaoba Lais Manekat Savings and Loan Cooperative does not stop at savings and loan services. This cooperative is undergoing transformation through diversification of real sector businesses, strengthening distribution networks, and mentoring new cooperatives at the village and subdistrict levels.
Mentoring for KDKMP Manulai II in Kupang serves as one concrete example. Through a business collaboration scheme, this cooperative assists in product provision, consignment systems, and strengthening member business capacity. The impact is already evident in increased economic activity and growing turnover potential for the cooperative.
The Director of Business at LPDB Cooperatives, Oetje Koesoema Prasetia, affirmed that LPDB is present to strengthen inter-cooperative partnership patterns as part of the national strategy for ecosystem-based cooperative development.
“What the Tanaoba Lais Manekat Savings and Loan Cooperative is doing shows that strong cooperatives can become locomotives for other cooperatives at the grassroots level. LPDB Cooperatives is here to bolster that role through integrated and sustainable financing support,” said Oetje.