OCOP Tua Chua products, enhancing highland specialties

In recent years, the “One Commune One Product” (OCOP) program in Tua Chua district (Dien Bien) has created a great driving force in promoting the rural economy , promoting the unique strengths of each locality. OCOP products not only affirm their brands but also contribute to improving people’s lives.

Tua Chua reaches far with OCOP brand

Tua Chua District (Dien Bien Province) is famous for its typical agricultural and handicraft products such as Shan Tuyet ancient tea, wild flower honey, purple taro, indigenous herbs, and products made from corn and rice. In particular, Shan Tuyet ancient tea has been recognized as a 4-star OCOP product, a symbol of longevity and high quality.

Sharing with reporters, Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Vice Chairman of Tua Chua District People's Committee said: "The OCOP program has brought about a positive change for Tua Chua's rural economy. By focusing on typical products such as tall tea, purple taro, wild flower honey, sour meat, etc., we not only develop the economy but also enhance the value of cultural identity and connect the community. These products have helped people change their production mindset, shifting from traditional farming to high value-added goods."

Tan Thai Duong fermented honey product of Tua Chua district, achieving 3-star OCOP product, is highly appreciated by consumers for its quality. Photo: Vinh Duy.

According to Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Tua Chua is famous for OCOP products such as: Tall tea trees are highly appreciated for their superior quality and organic production process. Tall tea trees are not only consumed domestically but also exported. Purple taro, a 3-star OCOP product, is a specialty favored by many consumers, bringing stable income to hundreds of farming households. Tan Thai Duong fermented honey not only retains its natural flavor but also has upgraded packaging and quality standards. Located high in the high mountains of Sin Chai and Ta Phin communes... ancient tea trees hundreds of years old, growing naturally in the high mountains of Tua Chua, are cared for according to traditional methods. Tea not only has economic value but also represents the culture of attachment to nature of local people. Tua Chua ancient Shan Tuyet tea is exploited from hundreds of years old tea trees that grow naturally at an altitude of 1,400 - 1,800m above sea level. The outstanding characteristics of the tea are the snow-white powder covering the buds, the mild astringency, the deep sweet aftertaste and the natural aroma. These tea trees are not affected by chemicals, growing completely naturally in a cool climate and nutrient-rich soil. Each tea tree is like a historical witness, preserving the story of the harmony between humans and nature through many generations.

Tall tea products of Huong Linh Company Limited (Tua Chua) are recognized as 4-star OCOP products. Photo by Vinh Duy.

Shan Tuyet Tua Chua tea not only brings stable income to the people but also contributes to preserving indigenous culture. Ethnic minorities, mainly Mong and Dao people, consider ancient tea as a "treasure" of the forest, both preserving farming traditions and protecting the environment. Currently, Shan Tuyet Tua Chua tea has been recognized as a 4-star OCOP product at the provincial level. This is the driving force for the district to focus on investing and developing products towards higher standards, expanding domestic and international markets. The special feature of Tua Chua ancient tea lies in the manual production process, from picking tea, roasting tea to preserving. Local people use their hands to pick young tea buds, carefully selecting to ensure quality. The tea roasting process is carried out on a traditional cast iron pan, maintaining a stable temperature to preserve the characteristic flavor. The entire process strictly adheres to clean and safe criteria, without using chemicals or preservatives. This helps the product retain its originality, meeting the needs of high-end consumers.

Journey to bring specialties to every part of the country

Tua Chua purple taro is not only a familiar agricultural product in the lives of people in this mountainous district, but is also striving to become a typical OCOP product of Dien Bien province. With its unique flavor, rich nutrition and cultural value, purple taro has affirmed its position in the hearts of consumers, while contributing to improving the income and life of local people.

With an average selling price of 25,000 - 35,000 VND/kg, purple taro brings stable income and improves people's lives. Photo: Vinh Duy.

Purple taro is grown on high hillsides in Tua Chua, where the red clay soil is rich in nutrients and the temperate climate is cool all year round. These natural conditions help the tubers grow well, achieving high quality with a dark purple skin, smooth flesh and a characteristic fatty taste. Tua Chua purple taro is not only delicious and sweet, but also rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. This is a nutritious food, suitable for a healthy diet and has the effect of supporting digestion and improving cardiovascular health. Purple taro is not only an economic product but also closely associated with the cultural life of Tua Chua people. This is the main ingredient in many traditional dishes such as taro cooked with bone soup, steamed taro in banana leaves, taro sticky rice cake. With an average selling price of 25,000 - 35,000 VND/kg, purple taro brings stable income and improves people's lives. Despite the success in building the OCOP program, Tua Chua still faces many difficulties. According to Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the District People's Committee, the district is currently facing difficulties such as: Regarding the scale of production, households still mainly produce on a small scale, lacking close links in the product value chain. Expanding production and improving product quality requires large capital, while access to loans is limited. Many products still depend on the domestic market, without a systematic plan to approach the international market...

Tua Chua purple taro is not only a familiar agricultural product in the lives of people in this mountainous district, but is also striving to become a typical OCOP product of Dien Bien province. Photo by Vinh Duy.

In order for OCOP products to truly bring high economic efficiency to the people, the leaders of Tua Chua district determined: Continue to organize training courses so that people and cooperatives can better understand the OCOP criteria, improve production processes and quality management. Strengthen the connection between farmers, cooperatives and enterprises to create stable production areas, ensuring output for products. The district is promoting the development of community tourism , helping visitors experience the production process and enjoy products on the spot. This is an effective way to promote OCOP products, while promoting the service economy. "We are committed to always accompanying the people and cooperatives in the process of building and developing OCOP products. This is not only an economic task but also a responsibility to preserve and promote the cultural and natural values ​​of Tua Chua. We believe that, with solidarity and creativity, the district's OCOP products will increasingly affirm their position and help people increase their income and escape poverty," Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan added.

Vinh Duy

Source: https://trangtraiviet.danviet.vn/san-pham-ocop-tua-chua-nang-tam-dac-san-vung-cao-20241208184124312.htm