The “key” to improving the quality of OCOP products

Automatic rice paper coating process, making Nam Binh rice paper products ranked 3-star OCOP in Thieu Thanh commune.

The "One Commune One Product" (OCOP) program implemented in Thieu Hoa district has been effective in exploiting the potential and strengths of the locality. From there, it has formed and developed typical products with high economic value, clear origin, ensuring food hygiene and safety and competitiveness in the market.

In the journey to improve products, the subjects have applied technology and modern, environmentally friendly production processes, thereby forming many production models in the direction of clean agriculture , organic agriculture, high-tech agriculture, creating a clear change in both product quality and production scale. The subjects also identified science and technology (KHKT) as the key "key" to help the district's OCOP products reach far, and is one of the conditions for products to be sold in supermarkets and distribution systems. Some OCOP products rated 3 stars or higher have created trust with consumers, such as: Anh Duong crispy rice, Van Ha yellow melon, Van Dai rice, Ngoc Nhan rice paper, Toan Linh bronze drum, Hoang Ha leaf cake...

Sharing about the process of building the Suzin black garlic product brand, Ms. Hoang Thi Loan, in Thieu Hoa town, said: "Initially, when learning about the garlic fermentation process, I used a rice cooker to ferment for 12 to 15 days. However, during the manual production process, I had to spend a lot of time adjusting the temperature and humidity accordingly, otherwise the fresh garlic would not become black garlic; many times the product was of poor quality and could not be consumed. Therefore, when the product became more widely known and consumed, I boldly invested nearly 2 billion VND to install 4 automatic fermentation and drying machines, a refrigerator, industrial fans... According to Ms. Loan, using an automatic machine system saves on labor costs and production time; especially since the temperature has been pre-set, the products are of the same quality, the garlic bulbs have brown skin, the garlic cloves are pure black, sweet, mildly sour, chewy and have a pleasant aroma. Currently, Ms. Loan's Suzin black garlic product has been consumed in supermarkets and safe food stores in Ninh Binh, Hanoi provinces... After being recognized as an OCOP product with packaging and labels that meet standards, the product was selected by the district to be consumed at The City Supermarket system.

Not only Suzin black garlic, many other entities in the district are also actively applying science and technology to production, from raw material selection, processing, packaging to product traceability. This initiative not only improves quality, but also helps products meet the strict standards of the modern market. Mr. Do Tuan Nam, Nam Binh rice paper production facility, ranked as a 3-star OCOP product in Thieu Thanh commune, said: “After converting from manual production to applying science and technology with automatic rice paper making machines, flour mills, etc., my production facility has significantly reduced the cost of hiring rice paper making workers. In addition, it has solved the problem of customers having to wait a long time and not having enough products to sell during holidays and Tet. With the optimized process, the rice paper is smooth and soft, the rice paper is automatically made evenly, thinly, smoothly, the flavor is not changed, and the productivity is increased 10 times”.

Currently, Thieu Hoa district has 31 OCOP products, of which 5 products are rated 4 stars, 26 products are rated 3 stars. Mr. Trinh Duc Hung, Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Thieu Hoa district, said: After identifying products with strengths to orient the development of OCOP products, the district has encouraged subjects to apply science and technology, innovate technology, equipment, apply advanced quality management systems... For products that have been assigned stars, subjects have boldly invested in expanding production scale, improving product quality, perfecting product design and packaging... to ensure market tastes and needs. Every year, in addition to monitoring and supporting the improvement of product quality, the district also focuses on guiding entities to advertise and consume products on e-commerce platforms, participate in dozens of fairs and exhibitions in and outside the province, especially supporting the introduction of OCOP products and advantageous products of the district into supermarket systems and modern distribution systems...

With the attention and support from local authorities, along with the initiative and creativity of the subjects, Thieu Hoa's OCOP products are increasingly affirming their position, contributing to promoting sustainable rural economic development, improving income and quality of life for people.

https://baothanhhoa.vn/chia-khoa-nang-cao-nbsp-chat-luong-san-pham-ocop-247740.htm