The Ministry of Cooperatives (Kemenkop) and the Ministry of Transmigration (KemenTrans) are collaborating to boost the economy in transmigration areas, which face significant development challenges. Announced on November 25, 2024, the collaboration focuses on empowering local communities by establishing cooperatives. Minister of Cooperatives Budi Arie Setiadi emphasized that cooperatives would help make these communities more independent and economically self-sufficient. With agriculture as the main livelihood, this initiative aligns with the government's food self-sufficiency goals. Key priorities include improving fertilizer distribution and creating better market access for agricultural products. Cooperatives could also act as off-takers, providing a reliable market for transmigrants' produce.
In addition to improving market access, cooperatives would help farmers access financing for working capital. The Ministry of Cooperatives, through the Rolling Fund Management Agency (LPDB KUMKM), is ready to provide financial support to cooperatives in these areas. Minister of Transmigration Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanegara highlighted that one of the main issues for transmigrants is marketing their agricultural products, particularly in eastern Indonesia. He believes cooperatives could solve this by acting as off-takers and improving the economic conditions of transmigrant communities. Both ministers hope the collaboration will lead to better economic outcomes and improved welfare for transmigrants across the country.
