ASIATODAY.ID, PEMATANG SIANTAR — The Indonesian government continues to accelerate rural economic development by positioning cooperatives as a central pillar of growth.
Through Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 17 of 2025, the government is pushing the expansion of warehouses, retail outlets, and infrastructure for Village and Urban Merah Putih Cooperatives (KDKMP) across the country.
This policy is part of a broader national strategy to strengthen the cooperative economic network and improve community welfare, particularly in remote areas.
In his opening remarks at the KDKMP Operational Acceleration Workshop held in Pematang Siantar, the Deputy for Cooperative Institutional Development and Digitalization at the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, Henra Saragih, emphasized the urgency of accelerating the operations of Merah Putih Urban Cooperatives.
The event was attended by Pematang Siantar’s Head of Cooperatives Office, Herbet Aruan, North Sumatra Provincial Cooperatives Office Head, Naslindo Sirai, and City Secretary Junaedi Antonius Sitanggang, representing the Mayor of Pematang Siantar.
Kana Cooperative was invited to present its Sweet Cooperative (Koperasi Manis) Program, showcasing efforts to strengthen food distribution through cooperatives nationwide.
“Accelerating KDKMP operations is vital because the impact will be felt directly by rural communities. These cooperative warehouses and retail outlets will serve as critical infrastructure supporting a local, community-driven economy while expanding access to essential goods,” said Henra Saragih on Friday, November 14, 2025.
Representing Kana Cooperative, Ello Harfandy highlighted that synergy between infrastructure development and cooperative economic activities is essential for reinforcing the national food supply chain.
“Government-developed warehouses and outlets will become key logistics hubs for village cooperatives. Through the Sweet Cooperative Program, these facilities will be optimized as cooperative-managed food distribution centers,” he said.
As part of the government’s policy implementation, Kana Cooperative has officially launched the Sweet Cooperative Program, designed to expand food distribution—particularly white sugar—by leveraging KDKMP infrastructure.
Kana Cooperative allocates IDR 2 million per month in operational funds for each participating KDKMP. The program operates on a consignment model with zero upfront payment, offering transaction potential of up to IDR 200 million per cooperative per month, enabling smoother cash flow and faster turnover of essential goods.
Kana Cooperative Chairman Jonathan Danang Wardhana stated, “The Sweet Cooperative Program is a strategic effort to enhance food distribution and support government initiatives. It provides cooperatives with an easier way to manage cash flow through a consignment system while accelerating the turnover of essential supplies—ultimately strengthening local economies sustainably.”
Henra Saragih welcomed the Sweet Cooperative Program as an ideal example of collaboration between the government and grassroots cooperatives.
“Cooperative infrastructure must be matched with productive economic activity. Government-built warehouses gain greater value when used for distributing essential goods such as sugar and basic necessities, ensuring that the benefits are felt directly by the people,” he emphasized.
During the same occasion, Henra also officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Merah Putih Cooperative in Marihat Jaya Village, Siantar Marimbun District, Pematang Siantar.
The event marked the beginning of efforts to strengthen economic empowerment at the village and urban levels—an initiative expected to boost community welfare and reinforce cooperative-based economic growth in the region. (Silvia Andriani)
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