"Awarding OCOP stars contributes to restructuring the agricultural sector and developing the rural economy."

In 2025, Can Tho City's One Commune One Product (OCOP) program will continue to be implemented comprehensively, closely following the direction of restructuring the agricultural sector and developing the rural economy. The standardization and upgrading of products, as well as support for OCOP producers to expand their markets, will be regularly prioritized. This will contribute to improving the quality of local specialty products, developing the rural economy, increasing people's income, and promoting economic transformation towards sustainability and modernization. In an interview with reporters from Can Tho Newspaper and Radio and Television, Mr. Le Van Tinh stated:

- By the end of 2025, Can Tho City had recognized 895 OCOP products, achieving 175% of the plan, including 648 3-star products, 242 4-star products, and 5 5-star products. Cooperatives and cooperative groups account for approximately 20% of the total number of OCOP entities, creating a stable foundation for production organization and promoting economic linkages in a professional manner. About 25% of entities have applied production models based on value chains, linked to specific raw material areas and oriented towards a circular economy and green OCOP. Many models have initially established production processes to control input quality, contributing to increasing the added value of products.

OCOP (One Commune One Product) businesses promote and introduce their products at an event organized by the city.

* The market for OCOP products is always a concern for the producers. How has the city implemented market development and connected supply and demand for OCOP products in recent times, sir?

- Trade promotion activities for the city's OCOP products are organized regularly and continue to be effective, with over 50% of businesses having accessed modern distribution channels. The city has established 34 points for introducing and displaying OCOP products, creating a space for regular connection between producers and consumers. Currently, over 70% of OCOP products are supported in being traded and introduced on e-commerce platforms such as chonongsancantho.vn, nongsanhaugiang.com.vn, soctrangtrade.vn, etc., helping to expand the scope of promotion and increase market access opportunities.

Over the past period, the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Department of Industry and Trade, and the Can Tho Center for Investment Promotion, Trade and Exhibition have regularly supported businesses participating in various promotional activities at major events. Typical examples include displaying and introducing products at the Ooc-Om-Boc Festival - Ngo Boat Race; organizing delegations to participate in trade fairs and exhibitions to introduce OCOP products in many provinces and regions; and displaying and selling products at tourist destinations in the area…

Specifically for OCOP fruit products (star apple, pomelo, longan), many businesses have partnered with companies such as VINA T&T Import-Export Co., Ltd., Chanh Thu Fruit Import-Export Co., Ltd., Anh Duong Sao Trading and Service Co., Ltd., VINAGREENCO JSC, etc., to sell nearly 1,680 tons of fruit. OCOP businesses participating in these partnerships enjoy stable selling prices that are 16,000-18,000 VND/kg higher than the market price for star apples and 2,000-5,000 VND/kg higher for pomelos.

* After 7 years of implementation, what lessons has the city learned in supporting the development, recognition, and promotion of OCOP products, sir?

- First and foremost, close coordination among departments and localities will help to enhance the State's guiding role in supporting the development of raw material areas, quality management, and product branding. Support policies need to focus on key areas, prioritizing potential products, key products, products with export potential, and those linked to rural tourism , creating a foundation to encourage businesses to invest boldly, expand scale, and thereby improve product quality and competitiveness.

Furthermore, mobilizing the participation of stakeholders and the community is extremely important. In reality, OCOP products, after certification, are highly effective when stakeholders play a central role, directly creating, perfecting, and improving product quality; while the State plays a supporting and guiding role.

In practice, the model of linking OCOP producers with processing and export businesses shows that a sustainable supply chain is a crucial solution to stabilize output, increase selling prices, and raise farmers' income. Simultaneously, trade promotion activities must be implemented continuously and diversely, combining direct (fairs, exhibitions, events) and online (e-commerce, digital media) approaches to support producers in expanding their product markets.

* So, what directions and solutions has Can Tho City set out for implementing the OCOP program in 2026, sir?

- By 2026, the city aims to develop and recognize at least 30 more OCOP products achieving 3 stars or higher. Priority will be given to supporting localities with plans to build communes meeting new rural standards in the 2026-2030 period to develop new, effective OCOP products that are suitable to the potential and advantages of each commune.

Can Tho City has determined that each OCOP product recognized must not only maintain the quality according to its recognized "star" rating, but also be improved and refined to enhance its value, increase market competitiveness, and thereby increase revenue and profit for the business entity.

To achieve this, the city will first focus on supporting and enhancing the capacity of OCOP (One Commune One Product) businesses, as this is a key factor in improving their competitiveness. Simultaneously, it will strengthen communication and raise awareness among businesses, especially through successful case studies and best practices.

Furthermore, the mindset of officials and agencies managing the OCOP program also needs to change. This involves guiding and directing stakeholders to develop products based on their strengths and advantages in local raw materials, culture, and indigenous knowledge, especially specialties, local products, traditional crafts, and community tourism services. This will help to convey, motivate, and promote the initiative and creativity of stakeholders and communities in developing products that meet market demands.

Furthermore, the State needs to strengthen support for cooperatives, businesses, and production facilities participating in the program in upgrading machinery and production equipment; and forming OCOP product value chains. This will help improve packaging and labeling; attach product traceability codes; and gradually introduce products into modern distribution channels, supermarkets, convenience store chains, and e-commerce platforms.

Thank you, sir!

MY THANH (Reporter)

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/-gan-sao-ocop-gop-phan-tai-co-cau-nganh-nong-nghiep-va-phat-trien-kinh-te-nong-thon-a195304.html