The Master of Agribusiness Management (MMA) Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, once again demonstrated its commitment to community engagement through an outreach activity titled “Institutional Strategies for Koperasi Desa Merah Putih (KDMP) for Shared Prosperity.” The program was held on September 10, 2025, at the Sidoluhur Village Hall in Kapanewon Godean.
The event featured Prof. Jamhari, an academic and practitioner with extensive experience in cooperative assistance, as the main speaker. In his presentation, Prof. Jamhari explained the institutional transformation of cooperatives from gapoktan (farmer group associations) into Koperasi Desa Merah Putih (KDMP) in 2025 as part of an effort to strengthen community-based economic development.
One of the key ideas emphasized was the role of cooperatives as providers of business solutions for their members. Unlike conventional systems, KDMP does not provide assistance in the form of cash, but rather in the form of goods or business-related needs that are relevant to members’ activities. This approach is considered more effective in encouraging members’ productivity while also maintaining the sustainability of the cooperative itself. The cooperative’s profits are then generated through a profit-sharing scheme based on the business units developed together.
Prof. Jamhari also highlighted the importance of active member participation in maintaining the sustainability of the cooperative. A healthy cooperative is not oriented solely toward short-term profit, but also toward balancing economic benefits with organizational continuity. In this regard, KDMP is expected to avoid exploitative practices and to build collective awareness among its members so that they contribute actively.
During the discussion session, participants were also invited to understand strategies for future cooperative development, including mapping local business potential, identifying members’ needs, and strengthening partnerships with various stakeholders. One example presented was the success of umbrella cooperatives such as Kosudgama in developing businesses based on strategic commodities such as sugar and rice. A combination of top-down and bottom-up strategies was seen as key to expanding membership while maintaining the relevance of cooperative services.
This activity served not only as a space for sharing knowledge, but also as part of MMA UGM’s concrete efforts to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, the program contributes to SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by strengthening community-based cooperative economies. In addition, the collaboration between the university and the community in this activity also reflects the implementation of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Through community service activities like this, MMA UGM plays a role not only as an educational institution, but also as a strategic partner in community empowerment and sustainable agribusiness development. This is one example of experiential learning in practice, providing added value for students while also strengthening the relevance of graduates in facing real-world challenges.
Event Documentation:
