Jakarta, Sept. 17 -- Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan has encouraged the establishment of Red and White Village Cooperatives in Islamic boarding schools (pesantrens) to strengthen people's economy and independence.

"Pesantrens can host cooperatives. We want economic centers to emerge in villages," he remarked at Asshiddiqiyah Pesantren in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He noted that the government has been working to establish and operate more Red and White Village Cooperatives in order to shorten the distribution chain of essential goods, ultimately making products more affordable for rural communities.

"This way, we aim to ensure villagers can obtain goods directly from producers. For example, people can purchase chickens or othe...