Standardizing OCOP for fragrant green squash

From a familiar crop grown in hillside fields, fragrant green squash has developed into a key agricultural commodity, providing stable income for hundreds of households in the communes of Thuong Minh, Cho Ra, and Phuc Loc in the province.

The organization of concentrated production, linked with the role of cooperatives in production, processing, and consumption, is helping the fragrant green pumpkin brand gradually assert its position and create a sustainable development direction for local agricultural products.

The fragrant green pumpkin tea product from Yen Duong Cooperative (Thuong Minh commune) is produced according to a process that ensures food safety.

In the early days of the year, in the fields of fragrant green squash growing areas, people are busily preparing the land, sowing seeds, and getting ready for the new production season. Every year, the province's key fragrant green squash growing area maintains nearly 400 hectares, creating a stable supply for the market.

Aromatic green squash is a short-season crop, ready for harvest after about 3-4 months of planting, and is suitable for cool climates and highland soil conditions.

To ensure productivity and quality, localities are paying special attention to seed preparation. At this time, nurseries in the region are focusing on preparing seedlings and applying technical measures to protect young plants in cold weather conditions.

Using high-quality seeds, and throughout the planting and cultivation process, people focus on applying scientific and technical advancements and adhering to safe food production procedures.

Many households have switched to production methods based on VietGAP and organic standards, limiting the use of chemical pesticides and prioritizing organic fertilizers to ensure product quality and protect the environment.

On average, each pumpkin weighs between 2-3kg and has an attractive appearance. What sets fragrant green pumpkins apart is their natural aroma, rich flavor, and high firmness when cooked, making them popular with consumers.

From small-scale, spontaneous production, the area planted with fragrant green squash has gradually expanded, forming concentrated production zones. This provides a basis for the locality to reorganize production towards a commodity-based approach, linked to market demand.

Ms. Nong Thi Trang (Thuong Minh commune) is tending to fragrant green pumpkin seedlings in preparation for the new season.

Recognizing that product standardization and branding are key steps, Thuong Minh commune has leveraged the role of Yen Duong Cooperative in organizing the production, processing, and consumption of products made from fragrant green squash.

Established in 2018, starting with a small scale of 7 members, the Yen Duong Cooperative has now grown to nearly 25 members, linking production with more than 500 households within and outside the commune.

Recognizing that the consumption of fresh green squash has not been fully exploited, the cooperative has invested in deep processing and developed products such as fragrant squash tea and squash jam to enhance their economic value.

Currently, Yen Duong Cooperative supplies more than 1 ton of fragrant pumpkin tea to the market each year. The products are invested in terms of labeling, packaging, and traceability stamps, meeting food safety requirements and are distributed in many provinces and cities.

Participating in the "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) program, the cooperative now has 4 products that have received OCOP certification from 3 to 4 stars at the provincial level, including fragrant green squash, fragrant squash tea, Tài sticky rice, and Yến Dương vermicelli.

Based on the successful model of cultivating fragrant green squash, it can be affirmed that organized production, linked with cooperatives, applying science and technology, and standardizing products according to OCOP standards is a suitable direction for highland agricultural products. This contributes to increasing the value of local crops, creating jobs, improving people's income, and gradually building a local agricultural brand in the market.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202602/chuan-hoa-ocop-cho-bi-xanh-thom-f353e6e/