PORTALJABAR, BOGOR CITY - The Mayor of Bogor, Dedie A. Rachim, emphasized that cooperatives are an important foundation in strengthening the people's economy while encouraging increased community welfare.

He conveyed this when attending the Inauguration and Inauguration of the Leadership and Management of the Regional Indonesian Cooperative Council (Dekopinda) of Bogor City for the 2025–2030 Period which took place at the Agricultural Development Polytechnic (Polbangtan), Saturday (30/5/2026).

In his remarks, Dedie Rachim stated that the government is currently continuing to encourage the strengthening of cooperatives as part of the national economic development strategy, including in supporting the community's nutritional fulfillment program through the development of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG).

According to him, the existence of SPPG opens up great opportunities for cooperatives to be involved in the supply chain for the community's food and nutritional needs.

"Later, after the SPPG construction is underway, cooperatives can act as food suppliers. This is where a mutually supportive economic cycle and business system are formed," he said.

Dedie Rachim revealed that currently Bogor City has 68 Red and White Cooperatives that have been formed, while four other cooperatives are still under construction.

He also encouraged cooperatives under the auspices of the Bogor City Dekopinda to be able to seize business opportunities in various sectors, including agriculture and animal husbandry, whose needs continue to increase.

According to him, cooperatives can collaborate with Polbangtan to develop the concept of urban farming as a solution to meet local food needs.

"This is an opportunity that must be seized. Cooperatives must be able to play a role in strengthening the local economy and meeting community needs," he said.

Dedie Rachim added that the cooperative sector currently has increasingly good prospects due to support from both the central and regional governments.

He hopes that the inauguration of the management and the implementation of the Dekopinda Regional Working Meeting (Rakerda) will produce various strategic recommendations to strengthen the cooperative movement in the future.

"I hope that this inauguration and Regional Working Meeting will yield various ideas and recommendations that can drive the progress of cooperatives, as the foundation for their development has already begun to be laid," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Dekopinda of Bogor City, Ade Syarif Hidayat, said that after the inauguration and confirmation, the activities were continued with a Regional Working Meeting to strengthen Dekopinda's role in fostering and developing the cooperative movement in Bogor City.

According to him, Dekopinda has a strategic role as a forum for the cooperative movement's struggle in channeling members' aspirations to the government and various other stakeholders.

In addition, Dekopinda also functions to carry out advocacy to open wider opportunities for cooperatives to participate in business activities and procurement of goods and services.

"Dekopinda has a responsibility to continue fostering, developing, and championing the interests of the cooperative movement in Bogor City so that it can provide greater benefits for its members and the community," said Ade Syarif Hidayat.

(Bogor City Communications and Information Service/rka)