Transforming production thinking and expanding markets through OCOP (One Commune One Product)

(GLO) - In recent years, the "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) program has become an important driving force helping Gia Lai's agricultural products establish their brands and expand their markets. From small-scale production, many businesses have innovated their thinking, boldly invested in processing, and built value chains to elevate their products.

Nam Yang affirms its brand with 5-star OCOP certification.

One example of the program is the Nam Yang Agricultural and Service Cooperative (Kon Gang commune). Established in 2017 with 100 members, the cooperative manages over 200 hectares of crops (120 hectares of coffee, 80 hectares of pepper), of which more than 30 hectares have been certified organic by the US and Europe, and the remaining area is in the process of converting to organic farming.

Along with investing in modern processing machinery, the cooperative focuses on improving the quality of coffee and pepper along the value chain.

Nam Yang Agricultural and Service Cooperative (Kon Gang commune) has 5 OCOP 5-star products. Photo: LN

By the end of June 2025, Nam Yang Cooperative had 5 products recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment as meeting national 5-star OCOP standards, including: Fine Robusta coffee, Dak Yang coffee, organic red pepper, organic black pepper, and Le Chi organic white pepper.

This is an important "passport" that helps cooperatives expand their markets, increase their competitiveness, and attract more international partners.

Mr. Nguyen Tan Cong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cooperative, said: After being recognized as a 5-star national OCOP product, the cooperative's products quickly gained significant market appeal. Not only has the domestic distribution system expanded, but many international partners have also come to inquire, place orders, and negotiate cooperation.

The 5-star rating compels us to upgrade our production processes, focusing on design, packaging, and the quality of raw materials to meet the stringent requirements of the high-end market. As a result, our products are increasingly establishing their reputation, increasing economic value, and opening up opportunities for sustainable export.

"Upgrading" local products with OCOP

In Ia Hrung commune, the OCOP program has also created a significant transformation. The entire commune currently has 16 OCOP products from 6 entities, of which 7 products have achieved 4 stars. Notable examples include the trio of instant coffee products from BaKa Co., Ltd. and the Nhat Minh Anh bird's nest product line from the Tran Quang Dao business household.

Mr. Dao said: "We have 4 products that have achieved OCOP 4-star rating, including bird's nest, raw bird's nest, dried cleaned bird's nest, and baby bird's nest; plus 2 OCOP 3-star products, which are ready-to-eat bird's nest for children and ready-to-eat fresh bird's nest."

"All products are manufactured in a closed-loop system, ensuring quality and safety. In the future, I will collaborate with more swiftlet farmers to form a clean swiftlet farming chain, aiming for export."

Mr. Krung Dam Doan, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ia Hrung commune, said that the locality is orienting the development of OCOP (One Commune One Product) in conjunction with building organic raw material areas; providing capital support, technical training; investing in preliminary processing and preservation; and promoting trade. The goal is to make OCOP products a pillar of the commune's economy.

The Ama Châu sun-dried beef business (Phú Túc commune) currently has 3 products that have achieved OCOP 3-star rating. Photo: LN

In Phu Tuc commune, people are also actively participating in the OCOP program with processed beef products. The Ama Chau sun-dried beef business currently has 3 products that have achieved OCOP 3-star rating, including: sun-dried beef, sun-dried pork belly, and sun-dried beef brisket.

According to Mr. Ngo Duc Mao, the owner of the establishment, the unit supplies more than 2 tons of sun-dried beef and more than 1 ton of sun-dried pork belly and beef brisket to the market each year. The products are available in many major cities such as Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi, and are trusted by consumers thanks to the distinctive flavor of the "fiery" Krong Pa region.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi The Vy, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the province currently has 1,183 OCOP products; of which 1,034 products have achieved 3 stars (87.4%), 142 products have achieved 4 stars (12%), and 7 products have achieved 5 stars. The province has 596 participating entities, including 109 cooperatives, 99 enterprises, and 388 business households.

Ms. Vy assessed that the OCOP program has significantly changed the production mindset of the people: from small-scale production to chain linkages, from selling raw materials to deep processing, focusing on packaging, labeling, and traceability. As a result, many products have entered supermarket systems, shopping malls, international trade fairs, and even been exported.

Gia Lai aims to have at least 8 more products achieve OCOP 5-star status by 2030, prioritizing strong product groups such as coffee, pepper, bird's nest, coconut oil, rice paper, and fish sauce. The province will also continue to support the development of raw material areas, encourage the application of science and technology, and promote international trade.

Based on the results achieved, it can be affirmed that the OCOP program is opening up a sustainable path for Gia Lai's agricultural products. The program not only increases the value of products but also promotes a transformation in production mindset, leading rural development towards modernization and integration.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/doi-moi-tu-duy-san-xuat-mo-rong-thi-truong-nho-ocop-post574386.html