Zulhas Pledges Village Cooperatives Will Absorb Harvests to Protect Farmers

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan has emphasised the strategic role of the Koperasi Desa Kelurahan Merah Putih (KDKMP) in protecting farmers. The cooperative is projected to become the primary off-taker for community harvests in villages.

Speaking at the KDKMP National Seminar at the Sasana Kriya Building in Jakarta on Thursday, the minister, who is familiarly known as Zulhas, assured that the government is siding with the people and will not allow farmers to suffer losses due to price fluctuations. He stated that if market prices fall, the KDKMP will step in to purchase the farmers’ produce.

“If the price of the harvest falls below 6,500, the Merah Putih Village Cooperative will buy it. Farmers must not be harmed,” Zulhas said.

A similar policy will also be applied to the fisheries sector through the Merah Putih fishermen’s cooperatives. Zulhas explained that this measure serves as a fundamental capital base before the government carries out further development programmes in the future.

In addition to absorbing harvests, the KDKMP will also function as a single gateway for the distribution of various government assistance. This includes social aid, subsidised fertilisers, agricultural equipment, and three-kilogramme LPG canisters.