In an effort to strengthen rural economies and improve the welfare of communities in villages across Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto initiated the Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan (Village/Urban Village Cooperative) Merah Putih. This cooperative program marks a significant step towards village-based national development, as emphasized by Adita Irawati, Senior Advisor at the Presidential Communication Office (PCO). Described as a pathway to economic independence for rural communities, the Kopdes Merah Putih enables villagers to manage their resources independently, transitioning from social assistance dependency to sustainable economic empowerment.
Challenges persist in villages and urban neighborhoods, such as inadequate storage for fish catch, high levels of MSMEs trapped in debt, lack of healthcare facilities, and limited cooperative presence in many areas. Addressing these issues, President Prabowo launched 80,081 Kopdes Merah Putih cooperatives on July 21, 2025, aiming to build a self-reliant, inclusive, and equitable economy. This initiative aligns with the third pillar of Asta Cita, prioritizing cooperatives as the driving force behind rural economic growth to create jobs, foster entrepreneurship, and enhance local production on a sustainable basis.
The establishment of these cooperatives is expected to shorten distribution chains and ensure essential goods like groceries, medicines, and fertilizers are available to people directly at affordable prices. For Dedi Nurendi, head of the Kopdes Merah Putih in Cileunyi Wetan village, the cooperative has already made a positive impact by addressing residents’ needs and reducing dependency on informal lenders.
Joining cooperatives is viewed as a community-driven solution, promoting mutual cooperation and economic self-sufficiency. The Kopdes Merah Putih program represents a significant milestone in village-based development, strengthening local economies and empowering communities towards economic independence.
Source Link: [https://prabowosubianto.com/kopdes-merah-putih-bridging-villages-toward-economic-independence/](https://prabowosubianto.com/kopdes-merah-putih-bridging-villages-toward-economic-independence/)
