SERANG – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, reaffirmed that the implementation of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative (KDMP) program will not shut down existing village kiosks or traditional grocery stores. On the contrary, the KDMP initiative is designed to collaborate with local village shops and stores.

He delivered these remarks during his opening address at the Regional Conference (Musyawarah Daerah or Musda) of the Regional Executive Board of the All-Indonesia Village Administration Association (DPD APDESI Merah Putih) for Banten Province, held at Aston Anyer Beach Hotel on Friday (August 7, 2026).

Minister Yandri further explained that the presence of the KDMP in villages will not only assist and benefit local traditional shops, but also ease daily access for rural residents, as the KDMP functions as official state infrastructure to distribute government-subsidized goods.

"The KDMP serves as government infrastructure. All subsidized commodities will be distributed through the KDMP, ensuring that local communities truly enjoy government subsidies directly—meaning citizens purchase goods at genuine subsidized rates. Previously, distribution chains were overly lengthy, driving costs up. Furthermore, timely delivery and stock continuity are crucial," Minister Yandri stated.

"Thus, Insya Allah, a Presidential Regulation will soon be issued regarding state-owned enterprises' (BUMN) commitment to utilizing village cooperatives as distribution channels for subsidized goods—such as 3kg LPG canisters, fertilizers, and SPHP rice. This will revitalize the KDMP by generating profit margins, covering transport fees, and more," he added.

Additionally, Minister Yandri noted that the KDMP will act as an off-taker (guaranteed buyer). For instance, if fish prices drop in coastal villages, the KDMP will purchase the yield using its cold storage facilities. Furthermore, the KDMP network will enable cross-village visibility of local resources, allowing fishing villages and non-coastal villages to conduct commodity exchanges to fulfill mutual needs.

This system similarly benefits rural farmers. Unhusked rice (gabah) produced by local farmers can be purchased directly by the KDMP, supported by dedicated warehouses for harvest storage and transport trucks optimized for agricultural collection.

Therefore, Minister Yandri called upon all village heads, village apparatuses, Village Consultative Councils (BPD), and rural communities to unite in driving the success of the KDMP program. He characterized the initiative, conceived under President Prabowo Subianto's vision, as a noble effort aimed at elevating rural prosperity.

"The KDMP ecosystem is currently under construction. If people wonder why the village cooperatives aren't fully operational yet, it is because we are still in the process of finalizing operational readiness, warehouses, retail outlets, and logistics equipment. Insya Allah, by the end of August, over 35,000 KDMP units will be completed," he noted.

"Eventually, KDMP assets will belong to the villages, with 20% of net profits contributing to village original income (Pendapatan Asli Desa), while remaining operating surpluses will be distributed back to rural residents," Minister Yandri concluded.

The event was attended by the Vice Governor of Banten, Achmad Dimyati Natakusumah, and the General Chairperson of the Central Executive Board of APDESI Merah Putih, Anwar Sadat. Accompanying Minister Yandri were Director General of Economic Development and Investment (PEID) Tabrani and Head of the Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM) Agustomi Masik.

Photo: Wening/Kemendes PDT
Text: Rifqi/Kemendes PDT