JAKARTA – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, alongside Deputy Minister Ahmad Riza Patria, met with representatives from ten village associations for a discussion at the Minister's Meeting Room on Tuesday (June 23, 2026).

The ten organizations in attendance consisted of PAPDESI, APDESI Merah Putih, PP PPDI, APDESI, DPN PPDI, PABPDSI, ABPEDNAS, KOMPAKDESI, AKSI, and GEMA Desa.

Minister Yandri stated that the meeting focused on President Prabowo Subianto's flagship priority initiatives, namely the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program and the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative (KDKMP).

"The MBG and KDKMP initiatives have spurred the creation of various thematic villages, including melon villages, corn villages, rice villages, tilapia fish villages, broiler chicken villages, and egg-laying poultry villages," Minister Yandri stated after the meeting.

Furthermore, numerous Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) have entered into partnerships to serve as official suppliers for the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) managed by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).

Thanks to these two cornerstone priority programs, rural communities now enjoy significantly easier access to highly nutritious foods, such as eggs and poultry.

"Since the implementation of the MBG program, Alhamdulillah, the community has experienced profound benefits. This includes the emergence of new centers for regional economic growth, which integrates closely with the expansion of the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives," Minister Yandri remarked.

Minister Yandri emphasized that all the village associations present declared their readiness to rigorously oversee the execution of the MBG and KDKMP programs.

According to the former Chairman of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR), the KDKMP is envisioned to serve as an economic locomotive, a vehicle for equitable financial distribution, and a fresh stream of revenue for rural areas.

He further detailed that 20 percent of the cooperative's net operating income (SHU) will be allocated directly to village-derived revenue, while the remaining 80 percent will be channeled back to the rural residents.

"This mechanism will also actively reduce rural unemployment, as the workforce employed by these cooperatives will be systematically recruited from the local villages," Minister Yandri explained.

Representing the ten village associations, the Chairperson of PAPDESI, Wargiyati, firmly expressed their collective endorsement of the MBG and KDKMP initiatives.

The associations fully support the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program due to its proven track record in benefiting the public and advancing the "Golden Indonesia 2045" national vision.

The MBG program has substantially aided rural communities by absorbing local workers as volunteers. Additionally, it serves as the primary catalyst behind the establishment of thematic villages—such as melon, rice, tomato, broiler, and egg-laying poultry villages—to secure a local food supply chain. This synergy generates a significant multiplier effect and accelerates the velocity of money within the rural economy.

Furthermore, the MBG program successfully addresses the dietary needs of vulnerable rural populations and school children who require adequate nutritional intake, specifically targeting pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly, toddlers, and students from elementary to high school levels. This includes citizens residing in Disadvantaged, Frontier, and Outermost (3T) regions.

"We, the Village Associations, fully endorse the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative (KDKMP) program as an economic powerhouse for villages, designed to create employment, raise family incomes, and eradicate poverty," Wargiyati declared.

The structural development of the KDKMP has and will continue to provide affordable basic staples for rural residents, expand local employment opportunities, and broaden economic access for village communities.

Given the highly strategic importance of both the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) and the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative (KDKMP) programs, the associations officially requested the government to continuously review and refine their governance frameworks. This measure aims to prevent any procedural deviations, ensuring that these national priority programs run with optimal efficiency, effectiveness, and precision for the welfare of village residents.

Accompanying Minister Yandri at the meeting were Secretary-General Taufik Madjid and other senior officials within the Ministry.

Photo: Andri/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Firman/Kemendes PDT