Meutya Hafid Reveals Digitalization to Improve Cooperative Work

JAKARTA - Minister of Communication and Information Technology (Menkomdigi) Meutya Hafid said that digitalization is not merely the use of technology, but a real step to improve the way cooperatives work.

"Digitalization must have a direct impact, be more efficient, the market is wider, and cooperative businesses are stronger," Meutya said in an official statement received and confirmed in Jakarta, Saturday, as quoted by Antara.

He said the government was accelerating the digitization of the Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP) to strengthen the village-based people's economy.

The three main focuses that are encouraged include increasing business efficiency, integrating the supply chain, and expanding market access for cooperatives and local business actors.

He said, the Al Ittifaq Cooperative in Soreang, Bandung Regency, is an example of good practice.

This cooperative has managed to integrate upstream and downstream businesses, from production to distribution.

The digital system used helps more accurate production planning, maintaining product quality, to speed up distribution to the market.

This model also makes the supply more secure and increases the trust of business partners.

The government encourages this practice to be replicated in various regions.

With a digital-based management system, cooperatives can manage production, stocks, to distribution more orderly and measurable, so that they can compete in a wider market.

In addition, sustainability aspects are also a concern. The use of production waste as animal feed, as well as strengthening the local supply chain, has proven to be able to reduce costs while increasing added value.

According to him, this approach can strengthen the economic independence of villages.

To accelerate implementation, the government encourages collaboration between advanced cooperatives and KDMP in various regions.

This collaboration is important to accelerate knowledge transfer and strengthen the institutional capacity of cooperatives.

In addition, the role of the younger generation is also considered crucial. Students, especially from vocational high schools, are expected to be involved in the digitization of cooperatives, ranging from technology management to business model innovation.

"The strategy is to expand proven good practices. A strong cooperative will be the foundation of a strong economy," said Meutya.

Meanwhile, the CEO of the Al Ittifaq Pondok Pesantren Cooperative, Setia Irawan, also emphasized that his party was indeed focusing on strengthening digitalization.

For him, digitalization is a strategic step in improving the welfare of farmers while strengthening national food security.

"We open the opportunity for the younger generation to learn directly, so that superior agricultural human resources are created and adapted to technological developments," he said.