OCOP Thanh Hoa: Turning specialized farming products into branded goods.

After six years of implementation, the OCOP program in Thanh Hoa is proving its role as a driving force for restructuring agricultural production, enhancing the value of agricultural products, and expanding markets for specialized farming areas. From concentrated fruit tree cultivation models to safe vegetable growing areas, specialty teas, and traditional watermelons, many localities have begun to form systematic value chains and build more effective brands for local agricultural products.

In Tho Long commune (Tho Xuan district), the Bac Luong Citrus Production Cooperative is a prime example, attracting dozens of households to participate in producing Dien pomelos according to VietGAP standards. Innovative approaches, from seed selection and intensive cultivation to packaging and labeling, have helped establish the Phu Bac pomelo brand with consistent quality and uniform appearance. Tho Long Dien pomelos were granted a collective trademark certificate by the Intellectual Property Office in 2023 and achieved OCOP 3-star status, opening up better opportunities for competition in the market.

Local residents say that previously, small-scale production made it difficult for products to stand out. Since applying the VietGAP process, fruit quality has improved significantly, output is stable, and selling prices have increased by 20-25%. Currently, the commune has more than 40 hectares of citrus trees, of which 15 hectares meet VietGAP standards with 35 participating households.

Not only Tho Long, but many other specialized farming areas in Thanh Hoa have also developed distinctive OCOP products. Thieu Hoa has developed a safe vegetable growing area with two 4-star OCOP products, Nga Son has made its Mai An Tiem watermelon specialty a 3-star OCOP product. In Tho Binh, the tea growing area of ​​Binh Son Agricultural and Forestry Service Cooperative has developed three OCOP-certified products, consolidating the position of local tea in rural economic development.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, Thanh Hoa province currently has 55 specialized agricultural zones, 49 concentrated livestock farming areas, and thousands of hectares of aquaculture farms, providing a solid foundation for developing OCOP products along the value chain. As a result, Thanh Hoa has 661 recognized OCOP products, many of which originate from these concentrated specialized farming zones.

However, the development of OCOP (One Commune One Product) from specialized farming areas still faces many challenges. Many production areas remain fragmented, lacking synchronized investment in infrastructure, technology, and packaging. The application of digital transformation and the building of regional brands are limited, leading to inconsistent product quality and an unsustainable supply chain.

To address this, Thanh Hoa province is implementing various policies to support OCOP (One Commune One Product) businesses in developing raw material areas that meet VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and organic standards; providing support for planting area codes, safe production area certification, and local brand building. Trade promotion activities and consumption networking within and outside the province are organized more frequently, helping OCOP products access a wider range of markets.

In reality, when specialized farming areas are properly organized, local agricultural products not only bring higher economic value but also contribute to changing the face of rural areas. Phu Bac pomelos, Binh Son tea, and Mai An Tiem watermelons, with their new OCOP (One Commune One Product) certification, are demonstrating the vitality of a sustainable approach, where local agricultural products are elevated to branded, high-value commodities.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/ocop-thanh-hoa-dua-san-pham-vung-chuyen-canh-thanh-hang-hoa-co-thuong-hieu-197251211142702317.htm