President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, stressed the significance of launching 800,081 Merah Putih Village Cooperatives. The program aims not only to enhance the economic independence of the people but also to eliminate exploitative practices conducted by middlemen and loan sharks that have long exploited farmers in rural areas. During the official inauguration of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative Program in Bentangan Village, Klaten Regency, Central Java, President Prabowo recalled his observations of chronic issues dating back to his tenure as Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (HKTI) in 2004. One of the enduring problems faced by farmers is the lack of trucks and adequate storage facilities post-harvest, resulting in significant losses. President Prabowo expressed concerns about the distribution of subsidized fertilizer to farmers, hindered by cumbersome bureaucracy. He also highlighted the exploitation of farmers by middlemen who manipulate prices during cash-strapped situations, pushing farmers to resort to loan sharks with high daily interest rates. The President emphasized that the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives are a pivotal step towards ending the cycle of exploitation experienced by farmers for generations. The program aims to empower farmers and break free from long-standing exploitative practices.
President Prabowo’s Vision for Merah Putih Village Cooperatives
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