Zulhas: Village Cooperatives Are Not Supermarkets, Here Are Their Functions

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan has confirmed that the flagship programmes under President Prabowo’s administration represent the state’s commitment to the Indonesian people. The Food Self-Sufficiency Programme is a form of support for the people, carried out through farmer empowerment aimed at boosting welfare. This is also being pursued through the 2,000 Red and White Fishing Villages programme, which enhances fishermen’s productivity via the construction of 40,000 biofloc systems—a fish farming method that relies on microorganisms for feed processing and waste management.

Through the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG), Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) are required to source food supplies from local villages in cooperation with Village Cooperatives (Kopdes) and Village-Owned Enterprises (Bumdes), thereby absorbing local food production. Specifically, the Red and White Village Cooperatives are targeted to reach 80,000 units, with an initial phase of 40,000 units to be completed by September 2025. Zulkifli Hasan assured that their operational function will not resemble that of a supermarket. Among the tasks of the Kopdes are the targeted distribution of social assistance, subsidised fertilisers, subsidised gas, and low-interest credit for village communities.

Zulhas also highlighted the importance of Waste-to-Energy Processing (PSEL) to convert waste into green electricity while simultaneously addressing waste problems that impact the food sector. By cutting through regulatory obstacles that have stalled progress for 11 years, the programme is targeted to be operational in 72 locations by 2027-2028.