"Kopi Roro" Strengthens Kulon Progo's People's Economy

The Kulon Progo Regency Government has inaugurated “Kopi Roro,” a micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) initiative involving mobile coffee sales, aimed at strengthening the people’s economy based on local products. The strategic Kopi Roro programme is the result of cross-sector collaboration and support from the Yogyakarta Special Autonomy Fund through Paniradya Kaistimewan, coinciding with the handover of five mobile coffee cart units. The launch of Kopi Roro, which stands for kopi roda loro (mobile coffee with two wheels or a motorcycle), took place during the peak commemoration of the 79th Cooperative Day and the 11th MSME Day at the Integrated Business Service Centre (PLUT) Sogan, Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta. “This initiative aims to encourage digitalisation, professionalism, and marketing expansion of the superior Menoreh coffee beans so they can compete in national and global markets,” said Agung Kurniawan, Assistant for Economy and Development of the Kulon Progo Regional Secretariat, on Saturday. “It is time we change from a culture of ‘destined entrepreneurs’ to a culture of ‘wealthy entrepreneurs’, as stated by Deputy Minister of MSMEs Helvi Yuni Moraza during the PLUT inauguration some time ago. Conventional cooperatives must change, they must have added value, be professional, and build the real sector to bring benefits to members and community welfare,” Agung said. The Kulon Progo Regency Government provides intensive assistance from upstream to downstream, ranging from licensing, halal certification, and PIRT to standardisation, so that MSME and cooperative products can enter wider markets. “The Kulon Progo Regency Government facilitates everything, from mentoring to sales. Hopefully, the people’s economy in Kulon Progo will become stronger,” he said. “Cooperatives and MSMEs are the economic strength in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. We do not have large industries like other regions, so their existence is a primary concern. Paniradya is present in the government’s function as a catalyst; it is impossible to provide direct assistance continuously, but it provides a stimulus so they become more adaptive, independent, and sustainable,” Kurniawan added. He noted that the biggest challenge for cooperatives currently comes from within, namely the extent to which the institution can adapt to technological advancements and market dynamics. Meanwhile, Head of the Kulon Progo Cooperatives and SMEs Office, Iffah Mufidati, stated that cooperatives serve as a “big house” for small business actors to grow together. “Data shows there are currently 379 cooperatives in Kulon Progo, including 88 Merah Putih Village Cooperatives. Cooperatives are the big house for MSMEs. Through the handover of five Kopi Roro fleet units this year, complementing two units from last year, we want to encourage more aggressive marketing of the distinctively flavoured Menoreh coffee beans,” Iffah said. She added that PLUT Sogan acts as an inclusive service centre for local business actors, assisting with needs from upstream to downstream, including licensing, halal certification, PIRT, capital, and digital marketing through the Sibakul DIY platform, which provides free shipping facilities. Kulon Progo DPRD Chairman Aris Syarifuddin also expressed full support, stating his commitment to continue overseeing regulations and budgets that favour the people for the advancement of MSMEs and cooperatives in Bumi Binangun.