Cooperative societies play a fundamental role in promoting the strong development of OCOP products.

With over 50% of OCOP products originating from cooperatives, the collective economy is demonstrating the power of linkage, where individual households work together to create significant value, ensuring that OCOP products are not just agricultural products but also long-lasting "local brands." This, in turn, plays a crucial role in promoting rural economic development and building new rural areas.

Over 50% of OCOP products originate from cooperatives.

Not only is the "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) program reviving seemingly forgotten traditional crafts, but it is also creating a new revolution in rural development. With more than half of OCOP products originating from cooperatives, the collective economic model is increasingly demonstrating its pioneering role in the development of advanced and exemplary new rural areas.

According to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , by the end of September 2025, the whole country had 17,400 OCOP products achieving 3 stars or higher from more than 9,300 entities, an increase of 8,400 products compared to 2022, far exceeding the target set by the Prime Minister in Decision 919/QD-TTg. Significantly, more than 50% of OCOP products originate from cooperatives. This figure not only demonstrates the improved production capacity but also reflects the central role of cooperatives in transforming the agricultural and rural development model, from fragmented to integrated, and from production to a commodity-based economy.

The OCOP program has not only created a leap forward in the number of products, but also brought about a "revolution" in production, management, and business thinking in rural areas. Previously, farmers only sold raw agricultural products; now they know how to process them, design packaging, register trademarks, and even participate in e-commerce. Products such as ST25 rice, roasted coffee, cashews, cinnamon essential oil, forest honey, and herbal tea are now available in over 60 countries, affirming the brand position of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai Linh, Vice President of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance, said that in recent times, the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance has actively organized training courses, guidance, and consultations to help cooperatives develop products, build brands, access credit, and expand markets. The Cooperative Development Support Fund is currently providing loans at lower interest rates than commercial banks, helping many units invest in machinery, packaging, and standardize products to achieve OCOP 4-5 star certification.

The Vietnam Cooperative Alliance also collaborates with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to organize fairs, exhibitions, and promote OCOP products. In addition, the Cooperative Alliance has signed cooperation agreements with many international organizations to support trade promotion and bring Vietnamese cooperative products to foreign markets.

OCOP helps cooperatives expand their scale, access capital, and enhance the value of their production chains.

A prime example of the success of OCOP (One Commune One Product) associated with cooperatives is the honey product of Phuong Di Bee Honey Cooperative (Gia Lai). This is the first product from Gia Lai province to be recognized as a 5-star OCOP product at the national level, and also the first honey product in the entire country to receive this 5-star OCOP certification.

Ms. Tran Thi Hoang Anh, Chairwoman and Director of Phuong Di Bee Honey Cooperative, said that Gia Lai has vast areas of coffee, rubber, cashew, and fruit trees, making it favorable for developing beekeeping for honey production. Taking advantage of these favorable conditions, the cooperative has linked with member beekeeping households to create a large, sustainable raw material area for beekeeping and honey production according to VietGAP standards, ensuring high quality and supplying demanding markets such as Japan, the United States, and European countries.

Currently, the cooperative manages approximately 10,000 bee colonies in Gia Lai and neighboring provinces, achieving an annual production of 1,000 tons of raw honey. In 2025, Phuong Di honey products will officially be recognized as a 5-star national OCOP product. Ms. Tran Thi Hoang Anh said, "From our family's traditional craft, we want to create products that are not only of high quality but also associated with a Vietnamese brand. OCOP has helped the cooperative expand its scale, access capital, and enhance the value of the production chain."

The honey products of Phuong Di Bee Honey Cooperative are 5-star national-level OCOP products. Photo: VT

Mr. Tran Nguyen Hoi (a member of Phuong Di Bee Honey Cooperative) informed that his family has been a member of the cooperative since its establishment. Currently, he raises 400 bee colonies for honey production according to VietGAP standards. If the weather is sunny and warm, he harvests honey once every 8-10 days. Each harvest yields about 3 tons of raw honey, which he brings to the cooperative's factory to separate the components to ensure compliance with standards and bottle it. On average, he earns a profit of over 200 million VND per year, Mr. Tran Nguyen Hoi added.

The story of Phuong Di Bee Honey Cooperative is a prime example of the important role of the collective economic model in leveraging strengths and increasing the value of agricultural products in local areas.

Promoting rural economic development in conjunction with building new rural areas.

The OCOP program has sparked creativity and changed the production mindset of the people. Many cooperatives not only focus on improving product quality but also pay attention to packaging, design, and cultural stories associated with the origin of the products. As a result, products with the distinctive flavors of the homeland have gradually asserted their position in the market, opening up new directions for the rural economy and contributing to the success of the new rural development program.

The cassava vermicelli product of Tan Viet A Agricultural Products Cooperative (Minh Tam commune, Cao Bang province) is a 4-star OCOP product. Photo: DL

From a traditional agricultural product, Tan Viet A vermicelli made from cassava starch by Tan Viet A Agricultural Products Cooperative (Minh Tam commune) has risen to become a typical OCOP product of Cao Bang province. Starting production and brand building in 2017 with a product made 100% from locally grown cassava starch, Tan Viet A vermicelli was certified as a 3-star OCOP product in 2020. Three years later, the product was further upgraded to a 4-star OCOP product, demonstrating the correctness of the direction in investing in quality, packaging, traceability, and brand promotion.

Mr. Tran Duc Hieu, Director of Tan Viet A Agricultural Products Cooperative, said that in early January 2025, the first shipment of 4 tons of Tan Viet A vermicelli was exported to the US market through a partner in Ho Chi Minh City. According to the contract, the cooperative will continue to supply 4 tons to the partner each month. The product's OCOP 4-star certification is not only a "passport" that helps Tan Viet A vermicelli easily access major markets, but also a commitment to quality, safety, and traceability, opening up opportunities to promote Cao Bang agricultural products to the world.

Currently, many OCOP products from Cao Bang are available in several supermarket chains and retail outlets both within and outside the province. Products with large production capacity and stable consumption include: sausages and smoked meat from Tam Hoa Cooperative; dried vermicelli products from Ba Sach Hung Dao Cooperative...

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/hop-tac-xa-dong-vai-tro-nen-tang-thuc-day-san-pham-ocop-phat-trien-manh-me-10399338.html