President Prabowo Subianto recently launched the Merah Putih Village Cooperative Program, aiming to enhance the economic independence of communities while also eradicating exploitative practices from middlemen and loan sharks that have long oppressed farmers in rural areas. During the official inauguration in Bentangan Village, Klaten Regency, Central Java, President Prabowo shared his observations from his time as Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Harmony Association (HKTI) in 2004. He highlighted issues faced by farmers such as inadequate transportation and storage facilities leading to post-harvest losses. Additionally, he addressed the challenges with subsidized fertilizer distribution due to bureaucratic hurdles. The President also discussed how middlemen exploit farmers by manipulating prices during urgent cash needs, forcing farmers to resort to loan sharks for high-interest loans. The Merah Putih Village Cooperatives are seen as a vital step towards breaking this cycle of exploitation, aiming to provide farmers with better market access and resources. President Prabowo emphasized the importance of bold action to transform the agricultural sector and support the nation’s farming communities.
