ASIATODAY.ID, SIDOARJO — Indonesia’s cooperative movement took center stage during the country’s 79th National Cooperative Day as Kana Cooperative brought together village cooperatives, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and local communities through the three-day Kana People’s Festival (Pesta Rakyat Kana) held from July 10–12 in Betro, Sedati District, Sidoarjo, East Java.
The event underscores Indonesia’s renewed emphasis on strengthening cooperatives as drivers of inclusive economic growth, rural entrepreneurship, and community-based development. By connecting village cooperatives with local businesses and consumers, the initiative aims to expand market access while reinforcing the role of cooperatives in supporting regional economic resilience.
A total of 15 Village and Urban Red-and-White Cooperatives (Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih/KDKMP) mentored by Kana Cooperative and 35 MSMEs participated in the festival, showcasing locally produced goods and promoting collaboration across the grassroots economy. The involvement of KDKMPs also reflects broader efforts to strengthen cooperative institutions at the village level as part of Indonesia’s long-term rural development agenda.
Held under the theme “Empowered Cooperatives, Prosperous Indonesia,” the festival featured a community marketplace, a subsidized food bazaar, evening entertainment, and public fitness activities, attracting thousands of visitors over three days while encouraging greater public participation in the cooperative movement.
A key social initiative during the event was the distribution of 500 subsidized food packages, supported by PT Pangan Jayabaya, a subsidiary of Kana Cooperative. The program was designed to help ease household expenses while demonstrating how cooperatives can deliver direct economic and social benefits to local communities.
Kana Cooperative Chairman Jonathan Danang Wardhana, speaking while on a business trip in South Korea, said the National Cooperative Day celebration should serve as a platform to strengthen collaboration and mutual cooperation across Indonesia’s grassroots economy.
“Through the Kana People’s Festival, we want to demonstrate that cooperatives can connect village cooperatives, MSMEs, and local communities in ways that strengthen local economies through collaboration and shared growth. We hope more people will recognize the value of cooperatives and participate in building stronger communities together,” Jonathan said.
Kana Cooperative Secretary Maykel Grey said the subsidized food market reflected the cooperative’s commitment to ensuring that National Cooperative Day delivers tangible benefits beyond ceremonial celebrations.
“Cooperatives should create real value for communities. Through affordable food programs and public engagement, we hope to strengthen economic solidarity while improving people’s welfare,” he said.
As Indonesia continues to promote cooperatives as one of the pillars of inclusive economic development, initiatives such as the Kana People’s Festival demonstrate how collaboration among village cooperatives, MSMEs, local enterprises, and communities can expand economic participation, strengthen local supply chains, and support sustainable growth from the grassroots level. (Silvia Andriani)
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