Zulhas Pushes Village Cooperatives as Business Hubs for Free Nutritious Meals Programme
Pamekasan, Kompas.com — Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan has assessed that Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (KDMP) have significant potential to become centres of village economic activity, particularly through their synergy with the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.
This assessment was made during Zulkifli Hasan’s direct inspection of KDMP activities in Rek Kerrek Village, Palengaan District, Pamekasan Regency, East Java, on Monday (9 March 2026).
The village cooperative has already been conducting food supply business for MBG kitchens before the KDMP programme was officially launched.
“KDMP must indeed become the centre of community business. It can be managed and supplied to MBG kitchens,” stated Zulkifli Hasan.
He noted that synergy between KDMP and MBG kitchens creates opportunities for economic circulation at village level, as the food supply chain can be fulfilled by local communities.
“However, business operations in Rek Kerrek are already running. This is excellent as an example. Thank you to the TNI for assisting thus far,” he said.
Zulkifli Hasan added that the government is targeting approximately 30,000 KDMPs to be completed and inaugurated by June 2026.
In the longer term, the government is targeting approximately 80,000 KDMPs to operate throughout Indonesia. These village cooperatives are expected to become centres of economic activity for communities in every village.
“We hope there will be collaboration among all parties, such as between KDMP and MBG kitchens, so that communities become increasingly prosperous,” said Zulkifli Hasan.
“The KDMP here supplies the requirements of the MBG kitchen located in Rek Kerrek Village, ranging from rice, eggs, milk, chicken, fruits, vegetables, and UMKM bread,” he stated.
According to Fadil, such food items are sourced directly from local communities and then supplied to MBG kitchens for daily student meals.
“So the activity here is vibrant. There are those who provide and those who buy,” he explained.