Innovate to not fall behind
VN Vastcom Algae Science and Technology Joint Stock Company (Quynh Anh Commune, Nghe An Province) is known for its Spirulina algae product line. This is a product supported by German scientist Prof.T. Franz - Peter Montforts and leading Vietnamese professors of algae.
With thorough investment, the product has met the 4-star OCOP standard and helped the OCOP entity reap many important awards such as the First Prize of the Nghe An Province Science and Technology Innovation Award in 2020, Golden Quality Product for Consumer Rights in 2021, Top 10 Most Prestigious Brands in Vietnam in 2024...
A step in the Spirulina farming process at Vastcom Company. Photo: Tran Duy Ngoan
However, according to Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of the Company, if we are satisfied and stop with what we have achieved, we will sooner or later fall behind or even be eliminated. Because of the increasingly high market demands and increasing competitive pressure, manufacturers are forced to continuously update technology, improve processes and improve product quality.
This practice encourages the company to not only produce functional products from Spirulina algae but also develop preparations for aquaculture and animal husbandry. In particular, some substances extracted from Spirulina algae such as Chlorin e6 trimethylester, Chlorin e6 monomethy are being further researched to create products that support patients in the process of cancer treatment.
Testing Spirulina algae samples. Photo: Khoi Nguyen
Mr. Hung added that the specificity of the algae cultivation process and the production of algae products requires a system of modern machinery and technical equipment to control from the stage of isolating the breed to harvesting, processing and packaging according to standards. This process is built on the technology transferred from the Institute of Biotechnology (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology). However, to meet the goal of building product lines for aquaculture and animal husbandry from algae, the company must continue to invest, research and apply new technologies from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment .
In order not to fall behind the market, updating equipment, perfecting closed processes and improving product quality become mandatory requirements for OCOP entities.
Production activities at Mom Beauty Production and Trading Company Limited. Photo: Thanh Quynh
As for Mom Beauty Production and Trading Company Limited - the company that won the Special Prize at the National "Women's Creative Startup and Green Transformation" Competition in 2024 with products that meet 4-star OCOP standards including: Nutritional cereals, nutritional nut milk and cereal cakes, the company is constantly improving its production process. To compete with cereal products on the market, the company must build a clean raw material area, gradually improve the quality and flavor of the products. Especially, expanding the consumption network and participating in e-commerce platforms, fairs and exhibitions inside and outside the province.
Mr. Le Van Luong - Head of the Department of Economic Cooperation and Rural Development of Nghe An shared that in reality, many OCOP products, after a period of operation or winning high prizes in competitions, but if not improved, upgraded, promoted and finding ways to expand the market, will quickly fall behind and lose their position in the market.
In the context of fierce competition, entities are forced to implement many solutions to stand firm in the market. Looking at the whole province, most of the OCOP entities that are still operating effectively are also actively promoting product brands to expand the market, ensuring the linkage of product consumption in the chain is strong and effective.
Nghe An OCOP products attract many customers when they are sold at supermarkets and fairs in and outside the province. Photo: Thanh Nga
Along with that, it is necessary to promote the application of science and technology; innovate and perfect small and medium-scale processing technology, especially OCOP products that have been recognized as having stars. Strengthening the transfer of technology applications, digital transformation in production, connecting markets, and tracing origins is the core. At the same time, focusing on developing OCOP products associated with building brands and industrial designs applying the VietGAP, Global Gap, HACCP standards system... is something that always needs to be paid attention to in order to meet the increasingly strict requirements of the market.
Towards sustainable solutions
Ms. Vo Thi Nhung - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment affirmed that the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program in Nghe An province has always received the attention and direction of the Ministries, branches, the Central Government as well as the participation of the entire political system. That has helped the policies, programs, and projects on socio-economic development issued and implemented by the province and districts in recent times to be effective.
Up to now, the whole province has 743 products ranked as OCOP 3 stars or higher (including 3 products ranked as 5 stars; 45 products ranked as 4 stars and 695 products ranked as 3 stars).
Nghe An is the second province in the country in terms of the number of products achieving recognized star ratings (after Hanoi). The number of OCOP products in Nghe An province increased steadily in the period 2021 - 2024, with the strongest increase in 2024.
The list of OCOP products is increasingly diverse, rich, of good quality and with clear traceability.
Representatives of the Central Youth Union highly appreciated the OCOP products of young start-up businesses in Nghe An. Photo: Thanh Quynh
However, if we look directly at the reality, there are still limitations: The number of OCOP products in the province is large but there is a lack of typical products. Many products are similar, not much different from similar products, leading to the lack of competitiveness in the market. Some OCOP products are still produced manually, the application of scientific and technical advances is limited, and the design and packaging are not paid attention to, so the competitiveness in the market is still low and the price is high.
Some localities are still confused in how to do it, determine advantages, potentials and production subjects, only focusing on perfecting existing products, not paying much attention to developing new products associated with raw material areas, especially traditional craft village products. Although mechanisms and policies have been issued, resources to implement the Program are still limited, mainly integrated, leading to difficulties in the implementation process in some localities.
The OCOP program in Nghe An has brought high efficiency in the socio-economic development of the province. However, to meet the increasing demands of the market, more comprehensive solutions are needed. Photo: Dinh Tuyen, Quang An, Thanh Phuc.
In the coming time, to overcome these shortcomings, according to Ms. Vo Thi Nhung, it is necessary to consider, select and focus on supporting a number of key products, aiming to improve quality instead of increasing quantity, thereby building OCOP products with their own mark, becoming typical local brands.
It is also necessary to propose, adjust and supplement new policies to promote the development of key agricultural products of the province and OCOP products. In particular, attention should be paid to the orientation of developing raw material areas to create linkages in product production; technological innovation; value chain development. At the same time, building an advanced quality management system; market management and access for product groups that have met export criteria...
Ms. Vo Thi Nhung - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment visited the booths displaying OCOP products of Nghe An. Photo: Thanh Duy
It is important that sectors coordinate closely and listen to the opinions of businesses and people so that support policies are truly appropriate and effective. In particular, capital sources from programs and projects, especially the National Target Program on New Rural Development, Sustainable Poverty Reduction and other support projects, need to be effectively integrated. This is an opportunity to support OCOP entities to innovate products, apply technology, improve quality standards, improve packaging designs, trace origins and provide systematic management training, contributing to sustainable development.
Source: https://baonghean.vn/de-san-pham-ocop-o-nghe-an-phat-trien-ben-vung-10312589.html
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