ASIATODAY.ID, SURABAYA – In a strategic move to reinforce national food security, Kana Cooperative has partnered with Kopdes/Kel Merah Putih through the “Koperasi Manis” program.
The signing of the memorandum of understanding, held at Graha Wardhana in Surabaya on Monday, September 29, 2025, was attended by prominent figures and marked a significant milestone in advancing cooperative-based economic independence with broad community impact.
The presence of several public officials underscored the importance of this initiative, including Endrizal, Head of the Cooperative and SME Office of West Sumatra Province; Mohamad Edi Kurniadi, S.T., MM, Head of the Cooperative and Microenterprise Office of Sidoarjo Regency; Pieko Nyotosetiadi, Chairman of the Indonesian Sugar Traders Association; and Irsyad Muchtar, Chairman of the Communication Forum of Major Indonesian Cooperatives.
Building an Efficient and Transparent Distribution System
The “Koperasi Manis” program aims to strengthen cooperatives as a driving force in the distribution of essential food commodities, particularly sugar and basic necessities. Through collaboration with Kopdes/Kel Merah Putih, Kana Cooperative seeks to establish a distribution ecosystem that is not only efficient and transparent but also beneficial to cooperative members and society at large.
Kana Cooperative will provide operating funds of IDR 2 million per month to each participating Kopdes/Kel. In addition, a consignment system for staple goods is offered, allowing cooperatives to access supplies without upfront payment, with transactions reaching up to IDR 200 million per month per Kopdes/Kel.
This system is expected to ease cash flow, ensure steady product circulation, and secure the availability of essential goods without heavy capital burdens.
Supporting Government Policy and Empowering Local Cooperatives
Jonathan Danang Wardhana, Chairman of Kana Cooperative, emphasized that “Koperasi Manis” is more than a distribution initiative—it is a concrete step to support government policies on cooperative empowerment.
“This program reflects our support for the government-initiated Kopdes/Kel Merah Putih. Our goal goes beyond distributing goods; we aim to make cooperatives an integral part of the national food security strategy,” he stated in his remarks.
Habibullah, Chairman of Kopdes Prasung in Sidoarjo, highlighted the importance of the consignment system.
“This system provides flexibility in managing staple food distribution. It allows us to better control product circulation and prevent shortages that could harm members,” he explained.
However, challenges remain. According to Irsyad Muchtar, Chairman of the Communication Forum of Major Indonesian Cooperatives, access to capital is still the main barrier for small cooperatives to expand their distribution networks.
“Many smaller cooperatives struggle with financing to scale their operations. The ‘Koperasi Manis’ program addresses this issue by providing funding support and strengthening distribution efficiency,” Irsyad noted.
Boosting the People’s Economy and Strengthening Regional Cooperatives
The initiative also earned praise from Endrizal, Head of the Cooperative and SME Office of West Sumatra Province.
“Seeing how cooperatives can serve as engines of local economic growth, we strongly support this program. We hope similar collaborative models can be applied across more regions in Indonesia,” he said.
The event was not only attended by officials but also by 12 representatives of Kopdes/Kel from Surabaya and Sidoarjo, who are active partners of Kana Cooperative in the “Koperasi Manis” program.
These included Kopdes Merah Putih Kramat Temenggung, Kopdes Merah Putih Jabon, Kopdes Merah Putih Prasung, and Kopdes Merah Putih Kedondong from Sidoarjo; as well as Kelurahan Jambangan Cooperative, Kelurahan Merah Putih Ngagel Rejo Cooperative, Kelurahan Merah Putih Semolowaru Cooperative, and Banjar Sugihan Cooperative from Surabaya.
Toward a More Independent and Sustainable Future
With this agreement, Kana Cooperative and Kopdes/Kel Merah Putih are confident that “Koperasi Manis” will become a model of collaboration that strengthens staple food distribution and drives the people’s economy.
This partnership is expected not only to enhance cooperative independence but also to ensure a more equitable and efficient distribution of food supplies across Indonesia. (Silvia Andriani)
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