Developing OCOP products in cooperatives.

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - In recent years, many cooperatives in the province have not only promoted production linkages and supported product consumption for their members, but have also demonstrated dynamism and creativity, grasping market demands and tastes to "revive" traditional local products. At the same time, they have created jobs and increased income for cooperative members and local people.

The 3-star OCOP product, Van Dai Rice, from Thieu Vien Agricultural Service Cooperative in Thieu Trung commune, is selling well in the market.

After transforming its operating model according to the 2012 Cooperative Law, the Thieu Vien Agricultural Service Cooperative in Thieu Trung commune not only performs well in public services but also promotes service activities to improve production and business efficiency. In particular, the cooperative promotes the application of science and technology in rice seed and vegetable production and develops production and consumption linkages for local people. The cooperative is highly appreciated by many businesses and partners for its rice seed and commercial rice products. Since 2021, when the locality implemented the OCOP Program, the cooperative has gradually standardized its processes to develop its advantageous local products into OCOP products. The cooperative has linked with farmers to produce 30 hectares of Van Dai rice using Japonica rice varieties according to the OCOP process.

Mr. Le Ba Dung, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of the Cooperative, said: “Van Dai rice is produced by us using organically grown rice grown using the RSI method; it is dried and processed on modern technological lines of affiliated businesses. With its superior quality and positive market feedback, we have chosen this as our flagship product to build our brand and develop it into an OCOP product. In early 2023, Van Dai rice received OCOP 3-star certification.”

It is known that, thanks to adhering to production processes and standards, Van Dai rice, through its partnership with intermediary businesses, has successfully been exported to the Japanese market. Currently, with a production of 250 tons per crop, the cooperative is unable to meet market demand, so it is expanding its cultivated area and planning to expand its growing region to neighboring communes.

Established in 2003, the Quang Phu Agricultural Cooperative in Xuan Tin commune has diversified its activities, including irrigation, supplying agricultural production materials, environmental sanitation, tray seedling cultivation, and agricultural product distribution for local farmers. However, the cooperative only gained market and consumer recognition after successfully developing its Quang Phu cassava starch product. This is a 3-star OCOP product with raw materials sourced from the local area's advantageous crops. Since joining the OCOP program, the cooperative has continuously expanded its scale, improved product quality, and diversified its markets. According to the cooperative's director, Vu Van Vinh, "Besides focusing on improving product quality and packaging, the cooperative has also intensified its marketing and sales efforts. Recently, the cooperative has signed contracts to supply products to many mini-supermarkets inside and outside the province. Furthermore, the OCOP certification has made it much easier to sell the product through online channels." "The annual revenue of Quang Phu cassava starch products reaches nearly 2 billion VND."

Currently, the cooperative has established a raw material production area of ​​5 hectares and has partnered with local households covering approximately 20 hectares to support production. In addition, the cooperative plans to invest further in machinery and automated packaging systems, standardize production processes, and develop more showrooms to display and introduce its products.

According to a quick survey by the Provincial Cooperative Union, many cooperatives have proactively applied technology to production, registered trademarks, built brands, and developed OCOP products to bring goods to market, contributing to job creation and increased income for members and workers. As of July 2025, the province had 134 cooperatives that had developed 159 OCOP products; many of which have been well-received and highly appreciated by the market, such as: the 4-star OCOP Thang Long rice vermicelli product of Thang Long Rice Vermicelli Production Service Cooperative; fragrant sticky rice of Vinh Thinh Agricultural Service Cooperative; Ha Lai rice cake of Ha Lai Agricultural Service Cooperative... Thanks to the development of OCOP products, cooperatives have created jobs and increased regular income for dozens of workers and linked seasonal jobs for hundreds of other local workers.

Mr. Le Hong Hai, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Cooperative Union, said: After more than 6 years of coordinating the implementation of the OCOP Program, cooperatives have affirmed their role as the core force, leading in building and improving the quality of key products of each locality, especially developing many high-quality products that are highly valued by the market. Through the development of OCOP products, not only have the revenue and profits of cooperatives increased, but the position, reputation, and competitiveness of the cooperatives themselves have also been affirmed on the map of collective economy and the OCOP map of the whole country. Although the development of new OCOP products in cooperatives is necessary, the Provincial Cooperative Union always guides cooperatives to maintain and sustainably develop products that have already received OCOP certification.

In the coming period, the Provincial Cooperative Union will continue to coordinate with departments and agencies to create favorable conditions for cooperatives to apply science and technology; participate in production linkages associated with product consumption; and help cooperatives access state support policies. It will also continue to train and develop human resources for cooperatives; support cooperatives in digital transformation, developing digital agriculture and circular agriculture; and organize practical study tours to learn from successful cooperative models in other provinces to exchange and share experiences.

Text and photos: Le Hoa

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/phat-trien-san-pham-ocop-trong-cac-htx-256223.htm