Connecting markets, elevating the value of agricultural products.

After more than four years of implementing Project No. 03-DA/TU of the Provincial Party Committee on "Developing agriculture, promoting product consumption associated with building new rural areas in the 2021-2025 period", the Industry and Trade sector of Hoa Binh province has achieved important achievements, contributing to promoting socio-economic development in the locality.

Báo Hòa Bình•17/03/2025

With the support of the Department of Industry and Trade, the Trung Khe sticky rice product (Lac Son) has become more accessible to consumers through its listing on e-commerce platforms and participation in trade fairs both within and outside the province.

"Giving a boost" to OCOP products

The One Commune One Product Program (OCOP Program) is one of the important solutions to enhance the value and brand of local agricultural products. Over the years, the Hoa Binh Department of Industry and Trade has continuously supported the program by assisting businesses and cooperatives in improving product quality, perfecting packaging and labeling, and developing consumer markets.

The sector has advised on the construction and development of OCOP product showrooms and sales points to increase consumer access to local products. In addition, the Department of Industry and Trade, in coordination with relevant units, supports promotion and participation in trade fairs and events, helping OCOP products reach a wider market.

In 2024, the province recognized 20 outstanding rural industrial products. Several prominent products such as lemongrass essential oil, Lau Sieu wine, and Lac Thuy dried bamboo shoots were selected as provincial and national OCOP products, opening up great opportunities for businesses to expand their domestic and international markets.

Mr. Dinh Cong Thuan, Director of Green Life Cooperative (Hop Tien commune, Kim Boi district), shared: "Thanks to the support from the OCOP Program, the accompanying support in equipment and market access opportunities from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, our forest honey products have not only initially built a brand and have a stable domestic market but are also exported to the UK market. This is a great motivation for us to continue investing in improving product quality."

In addition, the Department of Industry and Trade also focuses on training and educating production facilities on marketing skills, brand building, and the application of technology in production. Bringing OCOP products onto e-commerce platforms is also an important step to enhance the market access of local products.

Boosting consumption and creating sustainable outlets for agricultural products.

Recognizing that agricultural product consumption is a key factor in sustainable agricultural development, the Department of Industry and Trade has actively implemented numerous trade promotion activities to connect supply and demand. During the period 2021-2025, the province successfully organized five regional trade fairs in the North. These fairs showcased and introduced distinctive local products in many provinces and cities nationwide. Notably, over 100 businesses from the province participated in the fairs with more than 150 booths displaying their products.

Simultaneously, the Department of Industry and Trade has supported businesses and cooperatives in bringing more than 79 products from 33 establishments to e-commerce platforms such as Postmart.vn, Voso.vn, Sendo.vn… The application of digital technology helps expand the consumer market, bringing Hoa Binh's agricultural products closer to more customers, especially during the period affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Mr. Duong Quoc Thang, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, developing modern distribution channels, from trade fairs to e-commerce, is an important step to help the province's agricultural products increase in value, ensure stable output, and thereby create motivation for people and businesses to continue investing in production development.

In addition to trade promotion programs, the Department of Industry and Trade also implemented the project "Upgrading and renovating the power grid system in remote, disadvantaged, and particularly difficult areas in the province". To date, the rural power grid system has met 99.98% of the national power grid demand, contributing to improving the living conditions and production of people in rural areas.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa, a farmer in Kim Boi district, said: "Previously, frequent power shortages affected our family's agricultural processing. Since the power grid was upgraded, we can operate the drying and preservation system more efficiently, helping our products maintain good quality when brought to market."

Despite achieving many positive results, the development of agriculture and the promotion of local agricultural product consumption still face difficulties. According to the Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, the scale of production in agricultural establishments is currently small and fragmented, product quality is inconsistent, and the rate of applying quality management systems is low. This makes it difficult to bring products into modern distribution systems and for export. In the coming time, the department will continue to implement policies to support businesses and cooperatives in improving product quality and expanding markets. At the same time, it will advise the province to prioritize investment in infrastructure serving production and consumption, especially in remote and disadvantaged areas. This will contribute to building new rural areas, improving people's lives, and developing the province's economy sustainably.

Source: https://www.baohoabinh.com.vn/12/199221/Ket-noi-thi-truong ,-nang-tam-nong-san.htm