LAMPUNG – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, officially opened the National Seminar on the Red and White Village/Subdistrict Cooperative (Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih / KDKMP) in Lampung Province on Friday evening (September 4, 2026).

The national seminar represents a collaborative initiative between the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, Kemendes PDT, and 10 village national associations.

Minister Yandri explained that the KDKMP seminar provides an open public platform to broaden understanding regarding the cooperative program, featuring key resource persons from the Ministry of Cooperatives, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara, and higher education institutions.

Policymakers utilized the forum to deliver comprehensive explanations regarding the KDKMP program, ensuring public clarity and preventing misperceptions.

"We are providing a public venue to gather input and recommendations, as we recognize that KDKMP faces distinct operational challenges across different regions," Minister Yandri noted.

Minister Yandri expressed hope that participants would maximize the forum to gain a clear and accurate understanding of KDKMP.

He reported that KDKMP is currently finalizing over 35,000 warehouses and outlets nationwide. Consequently, he requested public patience and active oversight as the process nears completion.

Furthermore, Minister Yandri urged stakeholders to safeguard the KDKMP initiative to support the fulfillment of the 6th pillar of the Asta Cita national agenda: building from the village and from the bottom-up for economic equality and poverty eradication.

"KDKMP serves as a measurable mechanism to ensure that government programs are effectively monitored down to the village level," Minister Yandri added.

He also invited stakeholders to synergize with existing Kemendes PDT initiatives, including the Integrated Green Economy Self-Sufficiency and Food Security Program (Sehati). Executed in partnership with the World Bank, this initiative provides assistance packages of up to IDR 2.5 billion per village.

Additionally, he referenced the Gen Z Village Ambassador Festival (Festival Duta Desa Gen Z) launched in Serang Regency, Banten, in late August, which carries the primary tagline "Tajir Melintir dari Desa" (Filthy Rich from the Village).

The National Seminar on KDKMP was officially closed by the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan.

Key dignitaries attending the event included Head of the Development Control and Special Investigation Agency (Bappisus) Aris Marsudiyanto, Minister of Cooperatives Ferry J. Juliantono, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto, Governor of Lampung Rahmat Mirzani Djausal, Mayor of Bandar Lampung Eva Dwiana, and leaders representing 10 village national associations.

Accompanying Minister Yandri were Secretary-General of Kemendes PDT Taufik Madjid, Director General of PEID Tabrani, and Special Staff M. Khoirul Huda.