Distribution Cooperatives Become a Solution to Extreme Poverty in Papua

Extreme poverty and high prices of goods in Papua Province have long been discussed. To that end, the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs proposes to form a basic food distribution cooperative and a holding cooperative holding company in Papua.

At the opening of the Cooperative HR Quality Improvement Training in Jayapura, Papua, Assistant Deputy for Cooperative HR Development and Functional Positions of the KemenkopUKM Nasrun Siagian is optimistic that if the concept is realized, the problem of extreme poverty and high prices in districts in Papua can be resolved.

However, Nasrun said that realizing the formation of a cooperative was not as easy as turning the palm of the hand. According to him, there must be a readiness of human resources, especially from the millennials who are strong with support from various related parties.

"It also includes the development of cooperative infrastructure in each district, capital, supply chains from manufacturers, transportation, and security and massive socialization to the public on the importance of forming and becoming members of cooperatives," he said in a press release received in Jakarta, Friday (26/26). /11).

The advantages of joining a cooperative, he continued, include the remaining operating income (SHU) at the end of the year, additional capital, loan for school fees for children which includes uniforms to tuition fees, as well as loans for medical expenses.

"Of course the loan has a low interest margin because the things above are basic needs," he explained.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Cooperatives, SMEs and Manpower Office of the Papua Province, Oemah Laduani, firmly acknowledged that the problems in Papua are related to the human resources of the apparatus to the human resources of MSME actors. The problem was then further complicated by the high price of basic goods.

For this reason, Laduani believes that the development of distribution cooperatives proposed by the KemenkopUKM in the future will be effective in overcoming a number of these problems, especially in anticipating the high prices of products in Papua.

"But to make that happen, it takes collaboration and synergy, as well as extra struggle, because it involves many stakeholders. We must start by first preparing human resources and institutions," added Laduani.

Furthermore, Nasrun also emphasized the important role of the presence of a cooperative that will accommodate the Mamas and Mamas of market traders in Papua. According to him, the concept of cooperatives is very compatible with the culture of kinship and solidarity of the Papuan people who are very friendly.

For this reason, he invites Papuan market mothers to realize this high solidarity into economic strength through cooperative entities. In line with the solidarity of the Papuan people, Nasrun said that the cooperative is also an institution with a social character and has a family principle.

"It's better to have a small profit margin, but the goods are selling well, and a positive impression will arise from the community that shopping at the Mama-Mama Papua market is fun," said Nasrun.

KemenkopUKM, he said, will actively coordinate with the Cooperatives, SMEs and Manpower Offices of the Papua Province to monitor and pay special attention to the business development of the Papuan market.

"Innovation and creativity from Papuan Mamas are important to create varied and market-oriented processed foods," he said.

SOURCE: https://www.validnews.id/economy/koperasi-distribution-jadi-solution-kemiskinan-ekstrem-di-papua