Komdigi: 80% Internet Penetration Becomes Strong Capital for Village Cooperatives

Bandung (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) projects Village Cooperatives as a new engine for inclusive economic growth, following the achievement of national internet penetration reaching 60-80% by 2025. Komdigi explains that digital connectivity, which has reached 98% of Indonesia’s populated areas, is considered a crucial foundation for the national priority programme, namely Merah Putih Village Cooperatives, to bring village SME products to global markets. “Cooperatives serve as a vehicle to develop local potential while also acting as a facility for SME actors so that their products can grow and gain broader market access,” said Acting Director of Media Ecosystem at Komdigi, Farida Dewi Maharani, during a media workshop titled “Village Cooperative Stories Become Meaningful News” in Bandung, West Java, on Wednesday. Farida emphasised that current economic development is no longer urban-centric but starts from the villages by optimising human resources and the uniqueness of local sectors, from agriculture to crafts. Through digital integration in the promotion and distribution processes, village cooperatives are expected to be able to cut inefficient marketing chains. However, she underlined that physical infrastructure must be accompanied by increased digital literacy among the community. “We want to see the quality of human resources ready to enter the workforce, including digital capabilities. SMEs and cooperatives must be able to adapt and enter a broader digital ecosystem,” Farida stated. In the event, Komdigi invited media professionals to strengthen synergy in shaping positive public perceptions of village empowerment programmes. The media is seen as a strategic bridge to ensure that development information does not just become statistical data but inspiring news for economic actors at the grassroots level. “Every piece of information conveyed must have value and moral responsibility. Journalists play a role in delivering accurate, balanced, and responsible information regarding village development,” she said. The government is optimistic that with the continuously improving connectivity index, especially in West Java, village cooperatives will transform into economic aggregators capable of providing real benefits for enhancing individual and national economic capacity in a sustainable manner.