Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s government is rolling out standardized outlets for village cooperatives to ensure affordable goods, modern services, and local product promotion, Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono said Tuesday.In a meeting with the House of Representatives, Juliantono emphasized that the standards for the Red and White Village Cooperatives do not restrict creativity, allowing each cooperative to develop local potential.Standardized outlets aim to provide residents with basic necessities at reasonable prices while giving them access to modern retail managed directly by cooperatives.Through these outlets, the government intends to market village-made products and other local goods, including products from state-owned enterprises, across the cooperative network.President Prabowo Subianto has also called for each village cooperative to operate a pharmacy and a village clinic, providing affordable healthcare and reducing the need for long travel.To support their role as collection centers for local produce, cooperatives will receive warehouse facilities equipped with cold storage, temperature control, and dryers to maintain commodity quality before distribution.The government is also providing logistics vehicles to ensure smooth movement of goods to and from villages, strengthening overall supply stability.Juliantono said the cooperatives’ staple goods outlets are designed to function like modern retail, with organized sales management and competitive pricing.“This mandate stems from the President’s observation that village communities still need these services; the building standards are tailored to fit this need,” he said.He added that all products sold in the cooperatives will come from village communities, city or provincial cooperatives, and local companies, fostering a collaborative economy that strengthens village welfare sustainably.
RI Govt expands village cooperatives with modern, standardized outlets
