Prabowo Receives Report on Kopdes Locations in Remote Areas, Deputy Minister to Evaluate

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Deputy Minister of Cooperatives Farida Farichah stated that the government continues to evaluate and monitor the implementation of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative (Kopdes) program.

This includes reports regarding the establishment of Kopdes units in locations that are not strategic and are rather remote.

She acknowledged that the government has identified several Kopdes outlets that are considered to be poorly located and far from residential areas.

At the directive of President Prabowo Subianto, Farida said, these findings will be used as evaluation material for the government.

“Regarding the Merah Putih Village Cooperative, we found several spots where the buildings are not appropriate. We acknowledge that we found this, but we are continuously evaluating,” Farida stated during a press release from Bakom RI on Wednesday (21/10/2026).

Nevertheless, Farida explained that the placement of the Kopdes outlets also considers their proximity to farmers supplying fruits, vegetables, and other foodstuffs.

“We want to make the Merah Putih Village Cooperative an offtaker for the fruits and vegetables produced in those areas,” she said.

Farida explained that, according to regulation, the determination of Kopdes construction locations is done through communication between cooperative managers, village heads, and PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara (Persero), the party executing the construction.

Village communities are also involved in the decision-making process regarding the placement of cooperatives through special village deliberations (musdesus).

Therefore, the construction of cooperative units is not conducted without careful consideration.

Farida emphasized that the government believes that some information on non-strategic Kopdes locations needs further verification, as not all circulated reports are accurate.

Thus, she stressed that not all Kopdes outlets are built in locations that are unstrategic or far from settlements.

Meanwhile, Farida mentioned that the government will continue to improve and remain open to public input to realize Kopdes as a locomotive for grassroots economics and as a distribution center for essential goods at the village level.

According to data from the Coordinating Ministry for Food as of October 14, 2026, there are 83,363 legally established Kopdes, 79,733 have accounts in the Merah Putih Village Cooperative Management Information System (SIMKOPDES), and 60,854 have Business Identification Numbers (NIB).

In terms of physical construction, 28,240 sites have been completed, while another 7,392 sites are still under construction.