Jakarta (ANTARA) – The government continues to strengthen the Red and White Village Cooperatives (KDMP) as a driver of village economies, targeting the completion of 30 thousand units by August 16, 2026.”This target, coinciding with the 81st Indonesian Independence Day, is projected to become a major driver of equitable and self-reliant village economies,” said Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan here on Sunday.Hasan stressed that the physical construction and operational preparation of the cooperatives continue to be accelerated across Indonesia ahead of Independence Day.According to him, physical construction continues to progress in various regions, with 9,294 units having completed construction so far.He said the number is expected to keep rising as construction accelerates at a pace of 150 to 200 units per day.According to him, the construction effort is not only focused on providing physical facilities, but the government has also begun preparing the operations and human resources needed to run business activities at the village level.A total of 1,061 cooperatives have been declared fully ready to operate, while the recruitment process for 30,000 cooperative managers is currently underway.”They will become the driving force of the cooperatives, overseeing food discipline and ensuring economic benefits return to village communities,” he said.Meanwhile, 3,258 Red and White Cooperatives have been formed in South Sumatra, covering all villages in the province.Of that number, 521 locations across 17 districts and cities have completed 100 percent of their physical construction.Head of Cooperative Empowerment at the South Sumatra Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Office Morena said all cooperatives in the province are being prepared for a simultaneous launch on August 17, 2026.She said the strengthening of the Red and White Cooperatives reflects the spirit of independence being realized through the economic self-reliance of communities.”The cooperatives can become centers for distributing basic necessities, marketing local products, developing community businesses, and driving economic activity, with the benefits returning to village residents,” she said.