JAYAPURA– Indonesia’s State Logistics Agency (Perum Bulog) has distributed 76.5 tons of rice to Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (Koperasi Desa Merah Putih/KDMP) in Papua to expand food distribution networks and support local communities in meeting their basic food needs.
The distribution of rice through village cooperatives is expected to strengthen the food supply chain and improve access to essential commodities at the community level. Under this arrangement, cooperatives serve as one of the distribution channels intended to bring rice supplies closer to residents.
The use of cooperative networks to distribute rice is also in line with the government’s efforts to strengthen the role of cooperatives in village-level economic activities. In addition to supporting food availability, the initiative is expected to enhance the role of cooperatives as intermediaries between food suppliers and local communities.
Previously, National Food Agency Head Arief Prasetyo Adi stated that the Merah Putih Village Cooperative network could be utilized as a sales channel for rice distributed under the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program. He explained that cooperatives with established sales outlets could help expand the reach of rice distribution to the public.
Strengthening food distribution through cooperatives is one of the efforts to support a steady supply of staple commodities in regional areas. Implementation requires coordination between Bulog and cooperative managers to ensure that rice distribution meets community needs.
The distribution of 76.5 tons of rice represents an effort to expand food distribution through Merah Putih Village Cooperatives in Papua. However, the distribution date, locations of recipient cooperatives, number of participating cooperatives, and Bulog’s official statement regarding the implementation still need to be confirmed to complete the report accurately.
