🔑 Key Takeaways
- BPOM in 2026 reiterates its commitment to accelerating rural economic growth through the Merah Putih Village Cooperative, focusing on streamlined licensing and product quality oversight.
- This initiative has successfully elevated the quality and competitiveness of local village products, opening wider market access for SMEs across Indonesia.
- The program not only empowers producers at the village level but also guarantees the safety and quality of products for consumers, building sustainable trust.
JAKARTA, January 17, 2026 – The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to supporting grassroots economic growth, particularly in the rural sector. In 2026, BPOM reaffirms its role as a key catalyst for the Merah Putih Village Cooperative program, a strategic initiative aimed at improving the welfare of village communities through accelerated licensing and comprehensive product quality supervision. This initiative has become a crucial pillar in realizing rural economic independence in the digital age.
Merah Putih Village Cooperatives: Frontline of Local Economy
The Merah Putih Village Cooperatives, which now encompass thousands of villages across the archipelago, focus on developing high-quality local products, ranging from processed foods, traditional medicines, to cosmetics derived from Indonesia's rich natural resources. The program is designed to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in rural areas, providing them with training, market access, and most importantly, regulatory support to enable their products to compete in national and international markets.
“Since its inception, the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives have transformed the economic landscape in many villages. Products that were once only marketed locally can now enter major supermarkets, thanks to BPOM's guidance,” stated Mr. Budi Santoso, Chairman of the National Merah Putih Cooperatives Federation, in an exclusive interview. “BPOM's quality assurance is the main key to consumer trust.”
Digitalizing Licensing: Cutting Bureaucracy, Accelerating Innovation
One of BPOM’s most significant contributions to this program is the acceleration of product licensing processes. By 2026, digitally integrated licensing systems, including through the e-BPOM platform and special modules for village MSMEs, have significantly cut down waiting times. The application process for distribution permits (NIE) for processed foods (PIRT, BPOM MD/ML), traditional medicines, and cosmetics can now be completed within days, even hours, provided all administrative requirements are met.
“We understand that speed is essential for MSMEs. With efficient and transparent licensing systems, village producers can bring their product innovations to market faster, without compromising safety and quality standards,” explained Dr. Penny K. Lukito, Head of BPOM RI, during a working visit to a Merah Putih Cooperative production center in West Java. “This is part of our commitment to ensuring that bureaucratic hurdles no longer impede the economic potential of villages.”
Product Quality Supervision: Safeguarding Consumer Trust
In addition to facilitating licensing, BPOM also actively conducts quality supervision of products manufactured by the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives. This oversight includes regular laboratory checks, inspections of production facilities, and education on Good Manufacturing Practices for Processed Foods (CPPOB) or Good Manufacturing Practices for Traditional Medicines (CPOTB). The goal is to ensure that every product on the market is safe for consumption and meets applicable health standards.
“Consumer trust is an invaluable asset. With the BPOM label, products from the Merah Putih Cooperative are not only known as local products but also as quality local products with guaranteed safety,” added Ms. Siti Aminah, an MSME entrepreneur producing herbal cassava chips from a Merah Putih Cooperative in North Sumatra. “This gives us pride and motivation to continue innovating.”
Sustainable Economic Impact
The collaborative program between BPOM and the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives is projected to have created over 500,000 new jobs in rural areas by early 2026. The increase in per capita income in partner villages also shows a positive trend, indicating significant economic equity. Guaranteed product quality also opens export opportunities, making Indonesian village products increasingly recognized on the global stage.
Prof. Dr. Retno Wulandari, a Development Economist from the University of Indonesia, stated, “This collaborative model is a tangible example of how regulation can be an enabler, not a hindrance. With BPOM's support, the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives have successfully built a resilient economic ecosystem, reduced urbanization, and increased the competitiveness of local products in an increasingly competitive market.”
With the ongoing commitment from BPOM and the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives, the future of Indonesia's rural economy is seen as increasingly bright, driven by innovation, quality, and unwavering consumer trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Merah Putih Village Cooperative?
- The Merah Putih Village Cooperative is a national program empowering rural communities to develop quality local products through cooperatives, with regulatory support and assistance from various parties, including BPOM.
- How does BPOM accelerate licensing for these cooperatives?
- BPOM provides special channels and integrated digital systems (such as e-BPOM) that expedite the application process for Distribution Permits (NIE) for processed foods, traditional medicines, and cosmetics from village MSMEs, cutting down bureaucracy and waiting times.
- What are the benefits of this program for consumers?
- The main benefit is guaranteed product safety and quality. With strict BPOM oversight, consumers can more confidently choose local products from the Merah Putih Village Cooperative, knowing that these products meet applicable health standards.
