Developing the One Commune One Product (OCOP) Program: 3 Major Changes

(Chinhphu.vn) - After 7 years of implementing the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program, it has not only boosted the rural economy but also preserved culture and empowered communities. This is a vivid testament to the harmonious combination of tradition and modernity in the development journey of Vietnamese agriculture.

Many changes in production thinking.

The OCOP program, implemented since 2018 within the framework of the National Target Program for Building New Rural Areas, focuses on exploiting the unique potential of each rural area, from land resources, agricultural specialties, indigenous knowledge to traditional cultural values.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam pointed out three major changes in the implementation of this program.

First and foremost, the production mindset of the people has clearly transformed. From relying on traditional experience, people are now concerned with quality, design, food safety, and brand promotion. Many businesses have applied information technology, organized livestreaming, and reached customers through digital platforms, marking a professional shift.

Secondly, OCOP has effectively reorganized rural production. From small-scale, fragmented models, people have formed community linkages, coordinating between groups of households, businesses, and production facilities. Many small and medium-sized enterprises have emerged from OCOP, leading the market and asserting their position, creating a sustainable foundation for the rural economy .

Thirdly, the program has spread strongly to disadvantaged areas, especially among ethnic minorities and women. With 40% of participants being women and 17.11% being ethnic minorities, OCOP has empowered many people, helping them become leaders in production, build brands, and enhance the value of their goods.

Developing OCOP (One Commune One Product) products according to a green, circular, and low-emission economic model aligns with global trends. Future OCOP products need to meet environmental standards, contributing to the goal of sustainable development.

Currently, the Ministry is also focusing on vocational training and entrepreneurship for older workers and those migrating from urban areas to rural areas, aiming to establish new production facilities with practical and competitive OCOP products.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam stated that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is advising on the development of the National Target Program for New Rural Development for the period 2026-2035, in which the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program continues to be an important pillar. Prime Minister's Decision 919/QD-TTg of 2022 has laid the foundation and provided new directions focusing on three main areas. First, leveraging the advantages of agricultural resources, local knowledge and culture, and linking OCOP with rural tourism.

"We want OCOP products to be accompanied by cultural values ​​such as folk songs and dances from different regions, transforming them into cultural items with high added value," he shared.

Connecting tradition and modernity

To date, more than 16,000 OCOP products have been recognized nationwide, with approximately 9,000 participating entities, including over 3,000 cooperatives. This is a proud achievement, reflecting the strong spread of the program.

"Handmade, seasonal products, produced by households and cooperatives, cannot be mass-produced. But it is precisely this scarcity that ensures quality. Each product is a part of local memory and culture," Deputy Minister Nam said.

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Thanh Nam, the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program has created a significant ripple effect, contributing to promoting the restructuring of the rural economy, preserving cultural identity, and developing indigenous knowledge. However, many products still face difficulties due to a lack of stable raw material areas, limited access to credit, technological limitations, and failure to meet international standards.

Some foreign supermarket chains appreciate OCOP products but remain concerned about supply capacity. Therefore, the program will shift its focus from quantity to quality, increasing the uniqueness, cultural value, and competitiveness of the products.

According to the plan, OCOP will be developed into a national brand, with a system of intellectual property protection, policies to support promotion and market expansion. Products must meet clear standards, have geographical indications, and apply digital technology and e-commerce.

Deputy Minister Nam emphasized that OCOP is not only for consuming agricultural products, but also a way for small-scale households, cooperatives, and handicraft artisans to have the opportunity to build brands and enter larger markets, both domestically and internationally.

That is also why the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has chosen to "cherish" each product, not encouraging mass production or following trends, but investing in the most distinctive products that best tell the story of the homeland.

A packet of tea from the northern mountainous region; a bag of coffee and pepper from the Central Highlands and Southeast Vietnam; a bottle of fish sauce from the Mekong Delta; or a handcrafted ceramic vase from the Red River Delta – when held in your hand, it's not just a product, but a slice of culture, a memory packaged with the heart and skill of the maker.

According to Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam, OCOP is not only an economic initiative but also a bridge between traditional production and modern market demands.

"The program has expanded the function of the agricultural sector from mere production to environmental protection, landscape improvement, geographical indication development, and creating a foundation for rural tourism," he emphasized.

These values ​​enable OCOP products to deliver cultural experiences and identity, not only meeting consumer needs but also enhancing the position of rural Vietnam on the global map.

Do Huong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/phat-trien-ocop-3-thay-doi-lon-102250715112543273.htm