Koperasi Desa Merah Putih to Become Rice Aid Distribution Points Starting 17 August

The National Food Agency (Bapanas) has announced that the Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (KDKMP) will become one of the distribution points for the second phase of rice food aid, which will commence simultaneously on 17 August 2026. This step is being taken to optimise the cooperative’s infrastructure while bringing distribution services closer to the beneficiary communities.

Bapanas Director of Food Distribution and Reserves, Rachmi Widiriani, stated that KDKMP can be utilised as a distribution location if it possesses adequate warehouses and storage facilities and is located near the residences of beneficiary families (KPM). The utilisation of cooperatives is also expected to make the food aid distribution process more effective.

“Existing KDKMP can become one of the food aid distribution points. If, for example, a village has a large KDKMP with a spacious area, a sufficiently large warehouse, and is close to the residences of the food aid recipients, it can be used as a distribution point location. We can optimise the facilities owned by the cooperative,” Rachmi said during a Socialisation of Rice Food Aid Distribution event, quoted on Monday (3/8/2026).

The second phase of the food aid programme will target 33,244,408 beneficiaries with an allocation of 10 kilogrammes of rice per month for July, August, and September 2026, to be distributed at once. The distribution is carried out based on a letter of assignment from Bapanas to Perum Bulog, issued on 30 July 2026.

Rachmi explained that the food aid distribution was deliberately scheduled to coincide with the commemoration of the 81st Anniversary of Indonesian Independence, so that the public, particularly groups in deciles 1 to 4, can directly feel the government’s presence through this social protection programme.