Zulhas Emphasizes that Kopdes is Not a Supermarket, but a Distributor of Social Assistance and a Buyer of Rice

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Food and Agriculture Zulkifli Hasan emphasized that the Red and White Village/Neighborhood Cooperative or Kopdes is not a supermarket. The cooperative is prepared as a channel for government programs as well as buyers of harvest when prices fall below the provisions.

"Many people misunderstand, it is considered like a supermarket. In fact, Kopdes is a government infrastructure and an off-taker," said Zulkifli Hasan at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 15.

Zulhas, calling Zulkifli Hasan, said that the function of Kopdes as a government infrastructure means that various assistance will be channeled through the cooperative.

Social assistance, subsidized goods, and other government programs will later be directed through Kopdes. The government assesses that distribution will be clearer because cooperatives are formed in every village.

In addition to being a channel for government programs, Kopdes is prepared as an off-taker or party that buys and absorbs the results of farmers' production.

According to Zulhas, cooperatives can buy rice, corn, and other commodities when prices in the market fall below the standard set by the government.

"If the price of grain is below the standard we determine, the cooperative can take over, buy grain, corn, and others," he said.

This function places Kopdes not only as a place to sell daily necessities. The cooperative is also designed to be a link between government programs, community needs, and village production.

When asked again whether Kopdes was ultimately not a supermarket, Zulhas answered briefly.

"It's not a supermarket," he said.

Zulhas has not explained in more detail the agenda of the meeting regarding the cooperative he attended at the Palace. He chose to convey the development after the meeting was over.