Nghe An: Applying digital technology in managing OCOP product data.

Promoting rural economic development

The One Commune One Product program, with the involvement of all levels and sectors from local government to businesses, has created OCOP products with high productivity and good quality. Strengthening brand building and improving quality will bring practical results in all aspects, ensuring that the province's OCOP products are increasingly recognized in the market.

After more than 5 years of implementation, Nghe An province now has over 600 products from businesses, cooperatives, and production facilities that have been recognized as OCOP (One Commune One Product). Many products have successfully reached customers and received quality certification, leading to their inclusion in modern retail channels for promotion and introduction. However, the consumption of OCOP products from the province through retail channels remains low, and many products still face difficulties.

Despite the achievements, the implementation of the OCOP program in recent years still faces shortcomings and inadequacies, failing to fully exploit the potential and strengths of OCOP product development. These include: some OCOP products are primarily produced using traditional methods and outdated machinery and technology; the application of scientific and technological advancements in production is limited; and there is insufficient attention paid to design and packaging. In particular, the lack of strong and prominent brands results in low market competitiveness and high production costs. While efforts to promote the OCOP program have been made, these efforts remain limited, and many consumers are still unaware of OCOP products.

Provincial leaders admire the veal sausage stall at Go!Vinh supermarket.

In reality, the number of OCOP products recognized in the province has increased year by year; the quality, design, and price have all been positively improved by the producers. Meanwhile, ensuring that consumers can access complete product information, which contributes to brand promotion, trade facilitation, and market expansion, still faces many limitations.

Over the years, various levels of government, localities, businesses, and cooperatives have strived to bring OCOP products to a wider range of customers. Trade promotion activities have been implemented in diverse forms by the Department of Agriculture, the Nghe An Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, and the Department of Industry and Trade. In particular, the increased application of digital technology in communication and the promotion of e-commerce for OCOP products through e-commerce platforms are helping OCOP products reach a wider market. Through these trade promotion activities, OCOP products from Nghe An province have gradually reached consumers, becoming known and used by consumers both within and outside the province, as well as internationally.

Ms. Vo Thi Nhung, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Nghe An province, said: Practical experience over more than 5 years of implementing the program shows that for OCOP products to survive and develop, the following factors must be ensured: product quality, trade promotion, finding markets for products; developing sales points and promoting, linking consumption of OCOP products, creating an effective distribution system, and competitive pricing compared to similar products on the market. In addition, branding and geographical indications create distinctive products, enhance value and competitiveness, which are key.

Applying digital technology in building profiles and managing data for OCOP products.

To ensure consumers can easily access complete product information, contributing to brand promotion, trade facilitation, market research, and expansion, products need to be digitized using new and user-friendly technologies. In response to this, the Center for Social Sciences and Humanities of Nghe An Province, under the Department of Science and Technology, has undertaken the scientific project "Supporting the development of product profiles and data management for OCOP products, digitizing products, and building a traceability system along the OCOP product value chain."

The digitization of OCOP products contributes to data management, promotion, and commercial development of OCOP products in the market. This, in turn, builds the image and brand of Nghe An's OCOP products, creating trust among consumers both domestically and internationally.

Accordingly, 23 products from 6 entities have undergone digitization. Through digitization, the management of OCOP product data facilitates easy traceability of origin, reduces the problem of counterfeit goods, imitation products, products with unclear origins, and products containing banned or toxic substances that affect human health, helping consumers feel secure in using them. The increased digitization of OCOP products helps protect their brands, affirming transparency and credibility in the market.

The 5-star OCOP product - Duc Phong's woven bamboo and rattan hanging lanterns - has now been exported to 25 countries worldwide.

The trend of bringing OCOP products to e-commerce platforms will contribute to a strong shift, shortening the distance from production to consumption; helping products access domestic and international markets quickly and conveniently; promoting products anywhere and making it easy to search for product information; contributing to data management and digitizing OCOP products to promote and develop OCOP product trade in the market; and gradually building the image and brand of Nghe An OCOP products, creating trust for consumers both domestically and internationally.

In particular, 3D and 360-degree digital modeling is one of the modern technologies that helps optimize organization; contributing to bringing local products to more customers in the digital age.

Applying digital technology in building product profiles and managing OCOP data is a great opportunity for the province's OCOP products to "break through," not only helping businesses and cooperatives expand their markets and proactively plan their production and business activities, but also contributing to enhancing the position of the province's OCOP products.

Continue to strengthen digitalization and data management efforts.

Products participating in the OCOP program have shown many positive changes in quality, packaging, labeling, and brand identity. Some products have initially established their brands and gained the trust and acceptance of consumers.

Currently, Nghe An has over 20 OCOP product manufacturing facilities that have signed agreements to introduce their products into several major distribution systems. 268 OCOP products have been introduced into supermarkets, online sales channels, and direct interactive sales channels (livestream), such as: Pu Mat herbal tea, lotus products from the Que Bac Lotus Cooperative, Do Luong rice crackers, Dien Chau lotus peanuts, seafood from Bien Quynh and Cua Lo, Nam Dan veal sausage, etc.

In addition, many OCOP products have now been exported to international markets, such as: Duc Phong rattan and bamboo products (5 stars) have been exported to countries like France and Germany; Dien Thai coriander (Dien Chau) has been exported to South Korea and Japan; Van Phan fish sauce (Dien Chau) has been exported to Japan; ready-to-eat eel (NAP) has been exported to Australia and Japan; Bien Quynh seafood products have been exported to the US; Luong Son rice crackers (3 stars); and medicinal products of Bometa Group… all of which have contributed to promoting the culinary culture and specialties of Nghe An, and elevating the status of local agricultural products.

However, the development and management of OCOP product data and the digitization of OCOP products have not received adequate attention and development in the current context of Industry 4.0 and digital transformation.

In the coming time, Nghe An will continue to digitize and manage data for all of the province's OCOP products to help manage, promote, and provide complete information to consumers on a comprehensive connected platform compatible with all devices; compatible with all web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Coc Coc, Safari…).

Signing a cooperation agreement to bring ready-to-eat eel products (NAP) to the Japanese market.

Simultaneously, hand over 3D digitized data to relevant departments for management; connect promotional links and digitized OCOP products with information channels; and raise awareness among OCOP product producers about digital transformation for promotion and communication purposes, building the image and brand of Nghe An OCOP products and creating trust among domestic and international consumers.

We propose that the People's Committee of Nghe An province continue to allocate the task of "Supporting the construction of dossiers and data management for OCOP products, digitizing products and building a traceability system along the OCOP product value chain," assigning relevant units to carry out 3D digitization of data management for the remaining 4-star products and some 3-star OCOP products; and leasing infrastructure to maintain the digitization software.

Hopefully, with innovative thinking, synchronized solutions, and initiatives in OCOP product development, Nghe An province will achieve impressive results in implementing the OCOP Program, contributing to promoting rural economic development and building sustainable new rural areas.

Source: https://kinhtenongthon.vn/Nghe-An-Ung-dung-cong-nghe-so-trong-viec-quan-ly-du-lieu-san-pham-OCOP-post75052.html