Villages Ministry and 10 Village Associations Hold National Seminar on KDKMP
Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, has assured that the KDKMP will not kill off MSMEs and small village shops, saying the cooperative will instead build collaborations with them.
“With the birth of the Red-and-White Village Cooperative, the Ministry of Villages — given that village-owned enterprises (BUM Desa), MSMEs and small warung already exist — will, God willing, build extraordinary collaborations. There will be no mutual exclusion or undercutting,” Yandri said in a statement on Thursday (16/7/2026).
The Mendes PDT ministry, together with ten associations, organised the national seminar as a public forum to hear about the KDKMP’s operational progress.
“This is the first public forum on the KDKMP. So far we have indeed heard many statements from the competent parties — from the Ministry of Cooperatives, from us, from the Food Coordinating Minister, from the President. But a two-way discussion involving various circles is happening for the first time. That is why we organised this National Seminar, inviting almost every element of this republic,” said the former Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI).
Yandri went on to say the event served as a forum to discuss the KDKMP’s operations, and he hoped the public would offer suggestions for the programme.
“We want this forum to be a venue for dialogue on this strategic programme of the President — the Red-and-White Village and Urban Ward Cooperative — so that its future operationalisation moves towards perfection. Therefore we need input and suggestions from the public, and we also want to convey comprehensive information to the seminar participants,” said the former Chair of House Commission VIII.
At the event, Asep Anwar Sadat, Chair of APDESI Merah Putih, speaking on behalf of the ten chairpersons of the village associations, read out the seminar’s recommendations on the KDKMP:
Fully supporting the acceleration of the formation, institutional strengthening and development of the Red-and-White Village/Urban Ward Cooperative as part of a village-based national development strategy.
Committing to making the KDKMP the centre of village economic activity, managed professionally, transparently and accountably, and oriented towards the welfare of members and the community.
Encouraging all village governments to play an active role in strengthening the KDKMP ecosystem through synergy with BUM Desa, MSMEs, farmer groups, fishermen, livestock breeders, creative economy actors and all village economic potential.
Supporting the development of productive KDKMP businesses in line with local potential, including food, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, trade, logistics, renewable energy, financial services, digitalisation and other strategic sectors.
Encouraging improved capacity of cooperative boards, supervisors and members through education, training, mentoring and the digital transformation of cooperatives.
Inviting the business world, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), regionally-owned enterprises (BUMD), financial institutions, universities and all stakeholders to build mutually beneficial partnerships for KDKMP development.
Urging central and regional governments to provide regulatory support, financing, incentives, easier access to capital, digitalisation and sustained assistance.
Rejecting all forms of misuse of cooperatives for personal or group interests, or practices contrary to cooperative principles, good governance and the prevailing laws and regulations.
Committing to joint oversight so that the management of the KDKMP runs professionally, transparently and with integrity, delivering real benefits to village communities.
Standing ready to synergise in carrying out socialisation, mentoring, monitoring, evaluation and the exchange of best practices between villages.
Also present at the seminar were Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono, Head of the Development Control and Special Investigation Agency (Bapisus) Aris Marsudiyanto, Deputy Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions Ahmad Riza Patria, and President Director of PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara Joao Angelo De Sousa Mota.