Bringing OCOP products closer to the market.

On the sidelines of the 8th International Conference of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network for the Asia-Pacific region in 2024 in Cao Bang, with the participation of more than 800 domestic and international delegates, the province organized an exhibition space showcasing OCOP products and specialty products from provinces and cities across the country, attracting a large number of locals, tourists, and delegates to visit and shop.

Exhibition space for OCOP (One Commune One Product) stalls.

The exhibition area was designed as a large space showcasing a diverse and abundant range of products. Cao Bang province had 30 booths from various districts and cities, featuring many specialties such as Trung Khanh chestnuts, fragrant sticky rice, Bao Lac dried bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, Nguyen Binh vermicelli, etc. All OCOP products selected by the Department of Industry and Trade met standards of 3 stars or higher, and all had product labels, price tags, and samples available for consumers to experience and easily choose from. In total, the exhibition area had 60 booths from the North, Central, and South regions, offering many specialties, handicrafts, and standard OCOP products, creating a colorful picture of Vietnamese culture and cuisine . Events like this have created opportunities for OCOP product producers to reach new domestic and international customers.

Currently, the province has 144 OCOP products (13 4-star OCOP products and 131 3-star OCOP products) belonging to 4 product groups: 124 food products, 11 beverage products, 6 handicraft products, and 3 products related to community tourism , ecotourism, and tourist destinations. The implementing entities include 91 individuals and companies, comprising 27 cooperatives, 7 cooperative groups, 10 enterprises, and 47 individual business households.

The stalls meticulously showcased their products to customers.

Ms. Pham Thi Chinh, representative of the Cao Bang City booth, shared: "With the goal of bringing agricultural products and specialties to consumers nationwide, I have accessed many distribution channels and actively participated in OCOP product promotion events inside and outside the province. With the support of the Provincial Trade and Investment Promotion Center and other departments and localities, I have had the opportunity to reach customers in many places through trade promotion events and activities. I believe this is a necessary activity that should be maintained regularly so that OCOP product producers have the opportunity to continue expanding their market. Through this sales channel, the province's agricultural products have reached new customers nationwide, helping to increase sales effectively."

In recent times, various sectors and localities have organized numerous supply-demand connection conferences in provinces and cities nationwide. Through these conferences, the OCOP program has initially created a ripple effect, attracting participation and promoting the role of economic entities in upgrading and improving products to meet market demands and restructuring economic organizations towards linkages. Products have shown significant positive changes in quality, packaging, labeling, and traceability. Hundreds of unique agricultural products and local culinary specialties such as sticky rice, mung beans, black beans, shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms; and specialties like vermicelli, dried noodles, smoked sausage, and Mec Cang soy sauce, etc., are available. These high-quality, potential OCOP products are grown, cared for, and processed naturally, safely, and healthily, and are carefully selected and evaluated before being offered for sale. This includes handicrafts such as Phuc Sen knives, brocade fabrics, and souvenirs.

Honey products are displayed and showcased at the booth.

At the product display area, each booth not only offers quality products but also helps consumers understand more about the origin, production process, and cultural and historical values ​​that these products bring. In addition, visitors can experience, shop for, and learn about the unique characteristics of each locality through the products; the products meet quality standards, have received the OCOP (One Commune One Product) award, demonstrating a commitment to quality and competitiveness in the market.

Ms. Hoang Thi Lan from Song Hien ward (City) shared: "The agricultural products made by our farmers are really good. I often buy them to send to my children and grandchildren living in Hanoi. Today I came here to buy specialty agricultural products such as vermicelli, shiitake mushrooms, dried bamboo shoots, as well as some medicinal herbs to use gradually. OCOP products are local specialties that have been evaluated, so I feel very secure using them."

A representative from the OCOP booth in Ha Giang shared: "I am directly involved in producing agricultural products characteristic of my hometown. Honestly, when we create a product, we put a lot of heart into it. Therefore, through events like this, where we introduce and sell our products, I believe more people will learn about OCOP products, not only from Ha Giang but also from other provinces. In the future, when people mention a particular province or district, they will know about that product and brand name, and can confidently buy and use it."

Combining economic development and cultural heritage preservation is a sustainable approach that not only creates economic value but also preserves traditional cultural values. This is also the long-term goal that Cao Bang province, as well as other provinces and cities in the Geopark region, are aiming for, through OCOP products and exchange and promotion activities at international events. At the same time, this allows OCOP product owners to proactively strengthen linkages and connect production, processing, and consumption activities along the value chain to expand markets and increase revenue.

Kim Cuc

 

 

Source: https://caobang.gov.vn/kinh-te/dua-san-pham-ocop-tiep-can-sau-voi-thi-truong-986876