RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), in collaboration with the Ministry of Cooperatives (Kemenkop), assesses the need for a Cooperative Development Index (IPK) as a research-based instrument to more comprehensively measure the quality of cooperative development. The index is expected to serve as the basis for formulating evidence-based policies and to encourage the transformation of cooperatives as drivers of the national economy.

The Head of the Governance, Economics, and Public Welfare Research Organization, Agus Eko Nugroho, stated that cooperatives hold a strategic position as pillars of the national economy. "This is an important momentum to strengthen the foundation of the national economy through the development of cooperatives," Agus said in Jakarta.

In a press release received by RRI VOI at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Agus assessed that the government continues to strengthen the role of cooperatives through various strategic programs, including the development of the Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative. However, at the same time, cooperatives face increasingly complex challenges due to technological developments, economic digitalization, global competition, changes in market behavior, and demands for organizational modernization.

Therefore, he believes that the success of cooperative development can no longer be measured solely by the number of active cooperatives, assets, or business volume. "We also need to look at the quality of governance, productivity, innovation, digitalization, professionalism, and their impact on economic development," he said.

He believes the CPI (Information and Communication Technology) is expected to serve not only as a measuring tool but also as a strategic instrument for mapping the development of cooperatives across regions, evaluating the effectiveness of government policies, and supporting the formulation of more targeted cooperative development policies.

Agus added that improving the CPI requires contributions from various stakeholders, from researchers, academics, practitioners, the government, and the cooperative movement. This aims to ensure the index is truly relevant to national development needs.