Nabire, Central Papua — Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration (Mendes PDT) Yandri Susanto is pushing for sustainable economic growth in rural Papua through the Integrated Village Economic Transformation (TEKAD) program. He hopes that TEKAD, together with the Merah Putih Village Cooperative (Kopdes), can synergize business opportunities, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Through its business facilities, the Merah Putih Village Cooperative is expected to serve as a supplier of fertilizer, as well as a collector and marketer of agricultural products such as rice, corn, and tubers. “We have just planted corn. This means corn will be one of this region’s key commodities,” said Yandri in a press release on Tuesday (12/8/2025). The former Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) made this statement while delivering a briefing during his working visit to Bumi Raya Village, West Nabire District, Nabire Regency, Central Papua Province, on Monday (11/8/2025).
The minister, who hails from South Bengkulu Regency, also hopes that the Merah Putih Village Cooperative will play a role in absorbing agricultural products from the TEKAD program. According to him, village cooperatives can purchase farmers’ harvests, enabling them to maintain price stability in rural food markets and avoid exploitation by middlemen. By absorbing local produce, the cooperative will help strengthen food security at the village, regional, and national levels.
“So, ladies and gentlemen, you just need to be diligent in planting and producing as much as possible. Later, the government, through this cooperative, will buy it at a good price. The Merah Putih Village Cooperative can also serve as a marketing hub for your products,” explained Yandri.
In addition, the former member of the Indonesian House of Representatives encouraged farmers to grow vegetables at home or in communal plots to ensure the availability of ingredients for the free nutritious meal program—especially leafy greens rich in vitamins and minerals. Yandri emphasized that involving farmers, village-owned enterprises (BUMDes), and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the supply chain of the Free Nutritious Meal Program would drive local economic growth and improve community welfare.
“Therefore, please plant rice, tubers, and vegetables. They will be needed for the free nutritious meal program. God willing, you will reap great benefits,” he stated. During the visit, Minister Yandri was accompanied by Minister of Cooperatives Budi Arie Setiadi and Central Papua Governor Meki Fritz Nawipa. They immediately took part in a corn planting activity, joined by the Director General of PEID at the Ministry of Villages, Tabrani.
