Strengthening Kopdes Merah Putih, Minister of Cooperatives Officially Opens Torasera Nurja Berkah
Jakarta - Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono symbolically inaugurated the Toko Rakyat Serba Ada (Torasera) Nurja Berkah, located within the Pondok Pesantren Nurul Jadid in Probolinggo Regency, East Java. The establishment of Torasera is expected to serve as a model for strengthening the ecosystem of Village/Neighbourhood Cooperatives (Kopdes/Kel) Merah Putih across Indonesia.
In his remarks, Ferry expressed appreciation to Pondok Pesantren Nurul Jadid and all parties involved in initiating Torasera as part of cooperative-based economic development. He emphasised that Torasera Nurja Berkah is one of only two such stores currently operating in Indonesia. “This is a source of pride and boosts our optimism at the Ministry of Cooperatives in fulfilling our mandate to develop village and neighbourhood cooperatives throughout Indonesia,” said Ferry Juliantono in his statement on Sunday (15 February 2026).
On this occasion, the Minister was accompanied by Deputy for Cooperative Business Development Panel Barus, Special Staff to the Minister for Cooperative Financing and Licensing Rudi Wijaya, and Special Staff to the Minister for Harmonisation and Collaboration in the Cooperative Ecosystem Wahyono Suparno.
Ferry further explained that the government, under President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership, has targeted the establishment of 80,000 Kopdes/Kel Merah Putih nationwide. To date, 83,000 cooperatives have been legally established, and the government is now in the phase of constructing physical facilities, including warehouses, outlets, and supporting infrastructure. “We aim to complete and operationalise 30,000 units by April 2026, with construction continuing until the national target is met,” he clarified.
Ferry highlighted the strategic role of Torasera as a distribution hub and integrator within the cooperative ecosystem. In addition to supplying goods to village cooperatives, Torasera functions as an off-taker, absorbing production outputs from communities in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and micro, small, and medium enterprises. “Through Torasera, village products can be collected, managed, and distributed more widely, thereby stimulating economic circulation in rural areas and improving community welfare,” he asserted.
He also stressed the importance of transforming rural communities from mere beneficiaries into active economic participants. The government, he added, has prepared financial support through various instruments, including the Revolving Fund Management Institution (LPDB), as well as cross-ministerial and institutional backing. According to him, strengthening village cooperatives is part of efforts to restore the national economic system to the values of mutual cooperation and communal spirit envisioned by the nation’s founders. “Cooperatives are the primary instrument to ensure the economy serves the people. We want economic circulation to occur in villages, thereby contributing to national economic growth,” he stated.
Additionally, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting coastal sectors, including providing infrastructure such as ice factories and other facilities for fishermen in the Probolinggo area. Concluding his remarks, Ferry hoped that Torasera Nurja Berkah would become a national benchmark for developing cooperatives based on pesantren and community models. “May this Torasera become a blessed and growing enterprise, playing a key role in strengthening Kopdes/Kel Merah Putih and becoming a point of pride for Indonesian society,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Regent of Probolinggo Regency, Fahmi Abdul Haq Zaini, emphasised that the presence of Torasera Nurja Berkah will support business activities within the Kopdes Merah Putih ecosystem in Probolinggo, particularly in the Paiton region. He expressed hope that Torasera would promote local flagship products to a wider audience. “Of course, this Torasera is not just a shopping centre but a tangible manifestation of economic independence for the pesantren and its contribution to strengthening the community’s economy,” Fahmi said.
On the other hand, the Head of Pondok Pesantren Nurul Jadid, Abdul Hamid Wahid, stated that Torasera Nurja Berkah is not only a shopping hub but also a central economic driver for the surrounding community. “More than that, we envision Torasera Nurja Berkah as a business hub that supports the operation of Kopdes Merah Putih, especially in the Paiton area and its vicinity,” Abdul Hamid explained.