RI Govt pushes human capital to boost village co-ops

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister for Villages and Disadvantaged Regions Ahmad Riza Patria said strengthening human capital is among eight government strategies to accelerate the formation and growth of Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (Kopdes).

“Human resource development through training and mentoring is a priority to improve management capacity and member participation,” Riza, widely known as Ariza, said in a keynote speech at a webinar on “Village and Urban Potential in Developing Merah Putih Cooperatives,” monitored in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He said the focus on skills is vital as the co-ops will be supported by digital technology. This requires cooperative managers and members to acquire technical, managerial, and entrepreneurial abilities to ensure professional and competitive operations.

“Our human resources in villages and urban wards must be upgraded, since we will use digital technology in running these cooperatives,” he said.

Riza outlined the eight strategies, which include using available land without purchase or lease, drafting business models and technical guidelines, facilitating financing access, managing cooperative assets, and digitizing business processes.

He added that the strategies align with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive emphasizing “the best, the most, and the fastest” in developing the Merah Putih cooperatives.

“This program is one of the president’s strategic initiatives to deliver the best for village and ward residents. If cooperatives operate effectively, they will create jobs, raise productivity, spur economic growth, and ultimately improve welfare in rural communities,” Riza said.

He added that the president wants the benefits of the program to reach all residents, not just select groups. For that reason, the establishment of the co-ops must be both widespread and rapid.

With combined training, digitization, and integrated strategies, the government is confident the Merah Putih cooperatives will evolve into centers of local economic activity that are adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable.