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Tag: Sustainable Growth

  • Governor Iqbal Strengthens Village Economy Through Cooperatives

    Governor Iqbal Strengthens Village Economy Through Cooperatives

    Lombok Zone – The Governor of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, has expressed his unwavering commitment to enhancing the village economy by promoting the development of cooperatives and community-based business ecosystems. His remarks came during a meeting with the management of the Merah Putih Melayu Asakota Cooperative in Bima City on Monday, March 2.

    Governor Iqbal highlighted that the local government is poised to assist in advancing technology and formulating business plans to ensure that cooperatives and village enterprises operate effectively. He also mentioned that support would be provided to facilitate access to capital through banking channels.

    “We will help draft the business plans to enable them to apply for bank loans. It’s crucial that these cooperatives are engaged in actual business, not just operating storefronts,” he stressed.

    He pointed out that the distribution chain for agricultural products has been excessively lengthy, resulting in farmers not reaping optimal profits. The produce goes through various intermediaries before reaching the market, which adversely affects the farmers’ bargaining power.

    The cooperative concept championed by the government aims to shorten this distribution chain. With cooperatives, farmers can sell their products directly to the market or end buyers, thereby improving their bargaining position in price negotiations.

    Governor Iqbal also encouraged the development of productive enterprises in villages, such as small-scale egg-laying poultry farms and greenhouse horticulture. These business models are considered practical for meeting local market demands while reducing dependence on external supplies.

    He cited that through collective chicken coop management, villages could produce thousands of eggs weekly, marketed via cooperatives. Similarly, cultivating chili and daily consumption vegetables could satisfy high community demand.

    During the event, he also provided support in the form of infrastructure and equipment to the Merah Putih Melayu Asakota Cooperative, underscoring the government’s tangible commitment to accelerate cooperative operations and business development in the villages.

    He reiterated that strengthening the village economy transcends mere political discourse; it is a significant endeavor towards improving community welfare. “If it’s about politics, we can discuss it in its own arena. However, addressing the economic concerns of the people is a task we must undertake together,” he concluded.
  • Local Cooperatives in NTB Urged to Embrace Business Transformation and Seize Opportunities

    Local Cooperatives in NTB Urged to Embrace Business Transformation and Seize Opportunities

    Lombok Zone – The government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is actively encouraging local cooperatives to evolve into robust business entities. A significant opportunity lies within the national Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, which has recently been launched in the region.

    During his address to the members of the Merah Putih Cooperative at Jembatan Kembar, Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal emphasized that cooperatives should be viewed as business institutions rather than social organizations. He urged members to shift their mindset and recognize that the success of a cooperative is dependent on the active participation of its members in transactions and the development of business units.

    “Cooperatives are business institutions founded by and for the members. I commend the Merah Putih Cooperative for taking the initiative to distribute essential commodities. This marks a promising start towards becoming a larger business entity,” he remarked during his visit to the KDMP Jembatan Kembar Timur Lembar on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

    To bolster capital strength, it was highlighted that a pool of Rp30 billion in People’s Business Credit (KUR) is currently available at Bank NTB, specifically designated for cooperatives and small-medium enterprises (SMEs). This low-interest funding is expected to act as a catalyst for cooperatives to elevate their business operations through well-structured business proposals.

    Governor Iqbal also stressed the importance of cooperatives’ involvement in the MBG program. Currently, there are over 800 MBG kitchens operating in NTB. However, local farmers supply only 30 percent of the egg demand, with the remainder coming from external sources.

    “This is a golden opportunity. Cooperatives can act as aggregators for the produce from their members’ households to supply the MBG kitchens. The demand is already established; it’s just about how cooperatives manage their supply chain,” he explained.

    Besides eggs, other commodities like chicken, milk, and bread present additional opportunities within the government’s food security framework.

    In conclusion, he encouraged all members to cultivate a sense of ownership towards their cooperatives by prioritizing shopping within their own cooperative instead of turning to modern retail outlets. This strategy is aimed at keeping economic circulation within the membership, ultimately benefiting them through the distribution of profit shares.

    Meanwhile, H. Ismail Darwan, the head of Jembatan Kembar Timur village, expressed his gratitude during his address, appreciating the governor’s visit, which he described as a long-awaited gesture of the provincial government’s commitment to rural development.

    “Thank goodness, our mothers have been patiently waiting to see the governor. We, as a community, extend our warm welcome and gratitude for your willingness to see our conditions firsthand,” he said.

    On the same occasion, Rustam Thamrin, the chairman of KDMP Jembatan Kembar Timur, reported on the cooperative’s progress. He explained that KDMP was established as a swift response to the President’s directive regarding food self-sufficiency.

    “Since May, we have swiftly recruited 96 members. Initially relying on a starting fund of Rp10 million, we began our business operations in September. Our management is dedicated, working through all weather conditions to procure goods from Bulog to serve our members,” Rustam reported.

    He added that in January, they secured a loan agreement of Rp25 million from Bank NTB to scale their business further. “With this significant capital, profits started to become evident. We are highly motivated to keep progressing,” he asserted.