Menkop Budi Arie: The Results Of The Kopontren Agriculture In Ciwidey Bandung Can Support The MBG Program

Minister of Cooperatives Budi Arie Setiadi reviewed the production capacity of agricultural products in Ciwidey, Bandung Regency. (Photo: ANTARA)

Minister of Cooperatives Budi Arie Setiadi assessed that the agricultural products of the Al-Ittifaq Islamic Boarding School (Kopontren) Cooperative in Ciwidey, Bandung Regency can support the fulfillment of the supply of raw materials for the free nutritious food program (MBG) in the Bandung area.

When reviewing the readiness and production capacity of agricultural products in the Al-Ittifaq Bandung Kopontren area, West Java, Thursday, the Coordinating Minister said that the agricultural ecosystem and supply chain built by the cooperative are very modern, so it needs to be applied to other cooperatives in various regions in Indonesia.

Budi Arie said that there were around 659,000 potential beneficiaries of the MBG program in Bandung Regency and around 448,000 people in Bandung City.

The large number of potential beneficiaries demands the readiness of food supplies, especially agricultural products, such as those produced by Kopontren Al-Ittifaq.

"For the MBG program, the demand is definitely very large, so it is necessary to ensure that cooperatives are involved in supply chains, because cooperatives have their products to be distributed to the MBG Service Unit," said the Coordinating Minister, quoted from a press statement from the ministry.

Budi Arie also encouraged Kopontren Al-Ittifaq to supply its agricultural products to other regions in Indonesia if it experienced a production surplus.

Because, according to him, not all regions have sufficient agricultural resources for the MBG program.

Before the official kickoff of the MBG program starting in January 2025, he stated that the Kemenkop would coordinate with cooperatives producing agricultural products, including the Al-Ittifaq Kopontren so that it is hoped that there will be guaranteed supplies of raw materials such as rice, vegetables, chicken, eggs, milk and other materials which are products from cooperatives.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Al-Ittifaq Kopontren Agus Setia Irawan admitted that he was ready to be part of the raw material supply chain, especially agricultural products for the MBG program.

So far, he said, agricultural products from farmers have been absorbed by the Kopontren and distributed to modern retail stores.

According to him, market demand for agricultural products produced is very large, so it takes optimal effort to increase production capacity, especially when the Kopontren will become part of the supply chain for the MBG program.

"With collaboration with all parties, God willing, we can fulfill market demand. We will continue to strive to increase production, especially to support the MBG program," he said.