Developing OCOP products in depth.

After nearly six years of implementing the "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) program, the province now has 138 products certified under the OCOP program, including 43 four-star products and 95 three-star products. Besides promoting and marketing their products, businesses have also focused on investing in upgrading OCOP products in depth to meet the increasingly high demands of the market.

OCOP (One Commune One Product) businesses regularly receive support to participate in trade fairs and trade promotion activities - Photo: LA

Established in 2019, Khe Sanh Agricultural Cooperative in Huong Tan commune, Huong Hoa district, is known as one of the province's exemplary OCOP models, with two products achieving 4-star OCOP certification: "Khe Sanh Coffee Powder 100% Arabica" and "Khe Sanh Coffee Roasted Beans".

According to Nguyen Thi Hang, Director of Khe Sanh Agricultural Cooperative, in order to improve quality and ensure the production and business of coffee, since its establishment, the cooperative has worked with the local authorities to encourage farmers to abandon old farming methods and the habit of harvesting green coffee beans and soaking them in water. Instead, they are producing clean coffee according to organic standards, and the cooperative will guarantee the purchase of quality coffee. In addition to planting new trees, the cooperative also focuses on guiding people to invest in caring for, replanting, and improving old coffee plantations.

According to Ms. Hang, the cooperative currently requires that farmers only harvest the coffee beans when 95% or more of the fruit is ripe, and that the beans not be soaked in water or mixed with impurities before the cooperative will purchase them. To date, the cooperative has 30 official members and 115 associate members across 7 groups, working together to build a clean, closed-loop coffee chain covering nearly 160 hectares, with an annual production of over 2,000 tons of fresh coffee beans. They have signed product consumption contracts with 5 businesses, generating revenue of over 22 billion VND per year. “Regarding OCOP products, the Khe Sanh Coffee powder, a 100% Arabica product from the cooperative, has been unanimously approved by the provincial OCOP product evaluation council and submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for national-level OCOP product evaluation and classification (5 stars). This will be an opportunity to elevate and expand the reach of Quang Tri coffee, increasing its value,” Ms. Hang stated.

According to statistics from the Rural Development Sub-Department, the province currently has 138 OCOP products, including 43 four-star products and 95 three-star products. There are 76 OCOP entities, including 21 cooperatives, 9 cooperative groups, 22 enterprises, and 24 household producers and businesses. Notably, two products – Khe Sanh Coffee powder (100% Arabica) from Khe Sanh Agricultural Products Cooperative and the Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract health supplement from An Xuan Organic Medicinal Herbs Co., Ltd. – have been recommended to the National OCOP Product Evaluation and Classification Council for 5-star rating. The Head of the Rural Development Sub-Department, Hoang Minh Tri, affirmed that the OCOP program has helped create high-quality products with attractive designs, produced according to quality-controlled, transparent, and accountable processes. Many OCOP products are key local products such as coffee and medicinal herbs. This contributes to solving rural employment problems, developing local economies , and improving the living standards of farmers. Support for connecting and marketing OCOP products has created an impetus for businesses to actively invest in expanding scale and diversifying products.

To enhance the quality of OCOP products, the province has also implemented many programs and policies to support businesses in consulting, product development, standardizing raw material areas and production processes, trade promotion, and developing OCOP product showrooms and sales outlets.

According to Mr. Hoang Minh Tri, for the province's OCOP products to develop and reach further, the producers must implement production linkages along the commodity value chain, creating large outputs with consistent product quality. They should apply technology to create high-quality products, increase productivity, while still preserving the traditional cultural values ​​of each product.

For upgrading OCOP products, in addition to the proactive, flexible, and bold investment and innovation in production processes by the businesses, the involvement of local authorities is crucial in guiding procedures, documentation, maintaining, and upgrading product rankings.

On the provincial side, the Sub-Department of Rural Development has advised the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop strategies and solutions that closely adhere to practical realities, ensuring that OCOP products truly establish a firm foothold in domestic and international markets.

Coordinate with relevant localities and units to promote and diversify forms of communication, regularly organize workshops, conferences, visits, and experience-sharing sessions to share information and raise awareness among businesses, organizations, and individuals participating in the OCOP program, ensuring they understand the content, meaning, and benefits of participating in the OCOP program.

Building and developing raw material areas for OCOP products based on the province's general plan for agricultural development towards safe and organic production, creating opportunities to attract businesses to participate in the production process of OCOP products, and forming value chains.

Develop forms of production organization, transforming the operational types of OCOP product production facilities from individuals, households, and cooperatives into enterprises and cooperatives. Gradually standardize products according to the annual OCOP cycle. Select potential 5-star products for upgrading and support for submission to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

At the same time, strengthen support for stakeholders in promoting the application of science and technology in the development of rural industries, services, and tourism, linked with innovation, promoting processing and brand building to improve the quality and value of OCOP products. Promote trade activities and connect supply and demand for OCOP products.

We will continue to advise the province on specific policies to develop OCOP products in conjunction with community tourism, both preserving and promoting traditional cultural features and creating momentum for OCOP products to reach a wider market.

Le An

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/phat-trien-san-pham-ocop-theo-chieu-sau-187975.htm