West Papua allocates Rp194 Billion for village cooperatives

Manokwari (ANTARA) - The West Papua provincial government has projected that around Rp194.1 billion of the province's total Rp334.5 billion Village Fund allocation for 2026 will be used to support the operations of Red and White Village Cooperatives, one of the national priority programs.

Head of the West Papua Community and Village Empowerment Office (DPMK) Legius Wanimbo said in Manokwari on Monday that the allocation is in line with the central government's policy to accelerate the development of the cooperatives.

"Around 58.03 percent of the 2026 Village Fund allocation is directed toward supporting the establishment and strengthening of Red and White Village Cooperatives," Legius said.

According to him, the policy is part of the central government's strategy to strengthen the economic foundations of villages through the development of professionally and sustainably managed cooperative-based businesses.

The funds may be used for various purposes, including the establishment and strengthening of cooperative institutions, provision of business capital, procurement of facilities and infrastructure, and the construction of outlets and warehouses.

"The funds also cover the development of village logistics services, strengthening food security, and marketing village flagship products," Legius said.

He added that around Rp140.4 billion of the 2026 Village Fund allocation for seven districts in West Papua can still be used to support other priority programs in accordance with prevailing regulations and the needs of each village.

Legius explained that the amount of Village Fund allocated to each village is determined based on several government-established indicators, including population size, poverty rate, land area, geographical challenges, and village government performance.

"The Village Fund allocation for each village in West Papua varies because it is adjusted to the indicators set by the government," he said.

He noted that village administrations must complete several preparatory stages to ensure the effective and accountable implementation of the Red and White Village Cooperatives program, including holding special village deliberation meetings.

Other stages include the transparent appointment of cooperative management boards, adjustments to village budget allocations, and the preparation of reporting and accountability mechanisms for Village Fund utilization in accordance with applicable regulations.

"Village authorities must also ensure that the cooperatives can be managed professionally so that they provide sustainable economic benefits for village communities," Legius added.

He expressed hope that optimizing Village Funds through the strengthening of Red and White Village Cooperatives would become an important instrument for increasing village economic productivity, expanding market access for local products, and strengthening food security across West Papua.

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Translator: Bayu Prasetyo

Editor: Primayanti

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