Red White Village Cooperatives Become New Economic Power in NTT

Minister of Cooperatives (Menkop) Ferry Juliantono, accompanied by NTT Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, inspected and discussed matters with the management and members of the Red White Village Cooperative (KKMP) Manulai II in Kupang on Saturday (25/4/2026). During the discussion, Ferry stated that cooperatives serve as a tool for the struggle of weak economies while also being a means of empowering communities to grow more independently and competitively. “With the presence of KKMP Manulai II, a new force emerges. Starting with selling simple goods, the Minister is confident that this cooperative will develop in the coming years,” Ferry said in a written statement in Jakarta on Saturday (25/4/2026). Ferry explained that KKMP Manulai will later be equipped with merchandise, while its financing can be assisted by the Cooperative Revolving Fund Management Agency. Ferry elaborated that President Prabowo Subianto has expressed his desire for the national strategic programme of Red White Village/Urban Village Cooperatives as an instrument so that communities are no longer just beneficiaries but also become business actors. “But what is more important is our spirit, our enthusiasm. I am confident that the increasingly better physical buildings will accompany the spirit to build cooperatives as community-owned businesses so that they can develop into a new economic force for the community,” said Ferry. Meanwhile, NTT Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena added that cooperatives are no longer just about savings and loans but must work collaboratively. His side is ready to collaborate and become part of promoting and growing the Red White Village/Urban Village Cooperatives. “So, we now live in an era where we must support each other, encourage one another. That means, we should not just produce, but go all the way to downstreaming, distribution, marketing, and even industry. We can play in all of that,” said Emanuel. Chairman of KKMP Manulai II, Roby Dami, explained that in Manulai II, they have started to boldly produce authentic local NTT products. “As we can see here, there is already a staple goods outlet. This is the result of cooperation with various parties. These are authentic NTT products in line with the directives from the Governor and Deputy Governor of NTT. Next, there is also rice that is genuinely from NTT,” said Roby.