Kopdes Merah Putih Village Cooperatives, an initiative under President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision, aims to achieve true independence through economic self-reliance and equitable development. Fithra Faisal, a Senior Expert at the Presidential Communication Office, emphasized that the President’s programs align with building economic equity from the grassroots level to eradicate poverty. The launch of over 80,000 Kopdes Merah Putih cooperatives in Bentangan Village, Central Java, showcased President Prabowo’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of the people as a reflection of true independence. These cooperatives are seen as engines of inclusive economic growth, following the philosophy of development as freedom championed by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen. By empowering communities to participate meaningfully in the development process, the cooperatives aim to boost rural economies, enhance the quality of life for farmers and fishers, and create new job opportunities to prevent youth migration to urban centers. Through initiatives like providing storage facilities and logistics support, Kopdes Merah Putih also aims to reduce dependency on middlemen, increase efficiency in production, and improve income for rural communities. This bottom-up approach to development ensures inclusivity and economic liberation for all, paving the way for a brighter future in local economies.
