Introducing and promoting typical OCOP products of the Co Tu people

(Chinhphu.vn) – On the morning of August 15th, the first A Rieu Chili Festival 2024 took place in Dong Giang mountainous district, Quang Nam province, aiming to introduce and promote local tourism and agricultural products, especially the A Rieu chili plant – a 4-star OCOP product characteristic of the Co Tu ethnic group.

Mr. Le Van Dung, Chairman of Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee (middle) and local leaders introduce and promote A Rieu chili.

The event, organized by the Dong Giang District People's Committee in collaboration with Hang Gop Ecological Tourism Joint Stock Company and Ma Cooih Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative, attracted a large number of locals and tourists.

The first A Riêu Chili Festival in 2024 took place from August 15th to 16th, featuring many impressive cultural and tourism activities such as: opening and closing art programs, photo exhibitions of agricultural products and OCOP products, food displays, drum and gong dance competition accompanied by sacred fire, Tung Tung Za Za dance; sports and entertainment activities such as slingshot shooting, swimming, A Riêu chili eating contest with Quang noodles, forest dance show and cultural exchange…

At this festival, locals and tourists can also visit the exhibition space showcasing agricultural products, featuring 11 communes and towns of Dong Giang district, displaying characteristic local agricultural and forestry products, especially those related to A Rieu chili peppers.

On this occasion, a signing ceremony also took place for a product purchase agreement for A Riêu chili peppers between representatives of the Dong Giang Heaven's Gate Eco-tourism Area and the Ma Cooih Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative, aiming to create a stable market outlet and support local people.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the festival, Mr. Le Van Dung, Chairman of the Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee, emphasized: "The first-ever A Rieu Chili Festival is an activity that connects agricultural product development and ecotourism in Dong Giang district, aiming to honor and affirm the value, origin, and brand of A Rieu chili, a characteristic product of the Truong Son mountain range."

People harvest A Rieu chili in the mountains and forests

On this occasion, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Nam province requested Dong Giang district and people to take full advantage of local advantages, turning A Rieu chili products and other OCOP products such as tea rope, black turmeric starch, kakun wine... into products with high economic value; improve designs, enhance product quality to meet market requirements; actively support people, connect to bring A Rieu chili closer to consumers.

Mr. Dinh Van Bao, Vice Chairman of the Dong Giang District People's Committee, said that A Rieu chili peppers have long been an important spice in dishes and have become a part of the culture of the Co Tu people living in the Truong Son mountain range. In the Co Tu language, A Rieu means "magpie." The A Rieu chili peppers in the Dong Giang region are named after the legend that magpies eat chili peppers growing in the forest, thereby spreading the seeds throughout the mountains and forests.

The unique soil and climate conditions have created the A Riêu chili variety, which is quite small in size and has a distinctively mild spiciness and aroma, quite different from chili varieties grown elsewhere.

"This chili variety is recognized as a completely natural organic agricultural product, a 4-star OCOP product at the provincial level, contributing to improving livelihoods and sustainable development for ethnic minorities in mountainous areas towards commodity production and biodiversity conservation."

"This agricultural product is widely cultivated in many communes, and currently, 12 hectares have been cultivated with the participation of about 100 households. This type of chili pepper yields a harvest year-round, with an estimated production of 10.5 tons in the area. After initial processing, it will be preserved and processed into many local specialty foods such as salted A Rieu chili peppers, A Rieu chili sauce, A Rieu chili salt, and pickled A Rieu chili peppers…," said the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Giang district.

Nhat Anh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/gioi-thieu-quang-ba-san-pham-ocop-dac-trung-cua-dong-bao-co-tu-102240815110227052.htm