Mekong Delta: Elevating OCOP products

GD&TĐ - Currently, the Mekong Delta ranks second in the number of OCOP products (after the Red River Delta) with over 2,950 products.

Chairman of Bac Lieu Provincial People's Committee Pham Van Thieu listens to the subjects introducing OCOP products. Photo: Quach Men

In recent times, the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program has created attraction in the community, spreading many good values, contributing to increasing the value of agricultural products, developing the economy in rural areas. Currently, provinces and cities across the country in general, and the Mekong Delta in particular, are continuing to implement solutions to improve and enhance local OCOP products.

Diversify OCOP products

Currently, the Mekong Delta ranks second in the number of OCOP products (after the Red River Delta) with over 2,950 products. Of which, Bac Lieu has 145 products, with 31 4-star OCOP products and 114 3-star OCOP products. The province is proposing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to recognize 2 5-star OCOP products, namely Bac Lieu refined salt and Bac Lieu grain salt. Ca Mau province, with many advantages in developing agricultural, forestry and fishery production, also has 151 recognized OCOP products. Of which, 29 products have 4 stars and 122 products have 3 stars. Currently, 65 OCOP products of the province have been introduced into supermarket systems nationwide. Over 150 products of this province also participate in domestic and foreign e-commerce trading floors. “The province’s OCOP product owners basically ensure the conditions of production capacity, product labels and packaging, with clear traceability. With natural raw materials and standard production processes, Ca Mau’s OCOP products bring consumers peace of mind about quality,” affirmed Mr. Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ca Mau province. Ms. Truong Ngoc Giau, owner of Ngoc Giau dried product establishment in Tan Tien commune, Dam Doi district, Ca Mau province, said that in order for her facility’s products to be known by many people, she researched and decided to register for OCOP products. Currently, the roasted shrimp, dried shrimp and shredded shrimp products of Ngoc Giau dried product establishment have been recognized as 4-star OCOP. In addition, many other products of the establishment have also been recognized as 3-star OCOP. “Participating in the development of OCOP products is a good condition for establishments to improve product designs and quality, as well as have more opportunities to reach more customer partners. From there, the amount of goods supplied to the market will also be greater,” Ms. Giau shared. Mr. Nguyen Van Quan, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ca Mau province, commented that the OCOP program, in addition to the purpose of increasing the value of agricultural products and developing the economy, also solves many important problems in rural areas. “The OCOP program has helped increase income and contributed to improving the material and spiritual life of people in rural areas. At the same time, it is a driving force for rural economic development in the direction of organizing commodity production according to the value chain for specialty product groups, especially focusing on developing traditional occupations and craft villages,” Mr. Quan said.

Shrimp crackers - one of the OCOP products of Ca Mau province. Photo: Quach Men

Elevating OCOP products

Although the number of OCOP products has increased rapidly, the consumption situation in many localities is still limited. For example, some typical OCOP products of Ca Mau province have not been consumed in distribution and retail systems due to their dependence on the season. In addition, the production scale is still small and lacks linkage, so the product supply is not stable.

“This makes it difficult for products to fully exploit their potential, expand the market and meet the strict requirements of major distribution channels,” said Mr. Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau province. From the distributor's perspective, a representative of Central Retail Group said that some OCOP product owners have not fully met the necessary conditions to bring goods into the supermarket system, such as lacking legal documents, product packaging not complying with labels, barcodes, etc. Some suppliers have signed contracts but lack initiative and are not ready to participate in the modern distribution system.

Some OCOP products of Ca Mau province. Photo: Quach Men

To improve the quality of OCOP products and create conditions for bringing OCOP products into major distribution channels, Mr. Pham Van Thieu, Chairman of Bac Lieu Provincial People's Committee, requested relevant agencies to increase support for OCOP entities to invest in modern machinery and equipment to improve production processes and expand business scale. At the same time, it is necessary to research and design logos and product packaging suitable to market tastes and register intellectual property for OCOP products. In particular, it is necessary to orient the development of product brands associated with the use of codes and barcodes according to regulations.

“I propose to focus on building and forming unique and distinctive OCOP product distribution chains to create highlights and promote supply-demand connection activities. Not only diversifying trade forms, but also promoting digital transformation in product promotion and trade promotion to create a widespread influence and enhance the image of Bac Lieu's OCOP products in the market,” the head of Bac Lieu provincial government emphasized.

“In addition to local solutions, Ca Mau province hopes that domestic and foreign importers, distributors and retailers will support connections and consultations so that businesses and cooperatives in Ca Mau can complete products that meet standards, quality as well as market needs and tastes, contributing to enhancing the value and further developing local OCOP products,” Mr. Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee, suggested. Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/dong-bang-song-cuu-long-nang-tam-san-pham-ocop-post712988.html