Indonesian Minister: Grocery Stores Now the Backbone of Village Cooperatives
Grocery stores have become the main anchor for business activities in village cooperatives, driving local economic growth across Indonesia.
Cooperatives Minister Ferry Juliantono announced that these small retail outlets now serve as the backbone of village cooperative operations, providing essential goods and services to residents. The minister emphasized that the model strengthens community self-reliance and supports the government’s goal of boosting rural economies [199129].
The announcement aligns with broader government efforts to strengthen cooperative management in Indonesia’s agricultural sector. Deputy Agriculture Minister Sudaryono has separately pushed for stronger cooperative management to improve the welfare of sugarcane farmers, arguing that well-run cooperatives help farmers get better prices and access more resources. By pooling harvests and negotiating with mills as a group, farmers can reduce reliance on middlemen and increase their income [196555].
These initiatives are part of a wider push to link land rights with food security. Indonesia’s Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Minister, Nusron Wahid, stated that legal certainty over land rights is essential for ensuring food security, as clear ownership helps prevent disputes and encourages investment in farming [199096]. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transmigration is accelerating land certificate issuance for families in resettlement areas to protect ownership rights and support local economic development [196534].