Digitizing OCOP classification

Specialists from the Department of Agriculture and Environment post products on the OCOP and specialty agricultural products information page of Lang Son province.

The previous process of evaluating and classifying OCOP products had many limitations such as: after collecting the documents, the subject had to print up to 18 copies to send to the People's Committee at the commune level; after the commune assessed, it was sent to the provincial level. To evaluate and classify OCOP products, it was necessary to establish a centralized council of 9 members; the evaluation process often lasted a whole week; the volume of printed documents was very large and confusion easily arose.

To overcome the above limitations, in 2024, the Department of Agriculture and Environment built the OCOP and specialty agricultural product information management software of Lang Son province. The software is designed to perform the following main functions: managing OCOP program data; providing detailed information for appraisal; managing product evaluation and classification; supporting product promotion. Accordingly, each subject registering OCOP products will be given an account to log in and enter necessary information into the system such as: product idea registration form, business plan, introduction of organizational structure, business registration certificate, sample products, certificates of eligibility for production, certificates of meeting food safety and hygiene standards, etc. The software integrates specific criteria, allowing subjects to self-evaluate and score products right from the time of data entry. After receiving, the administrator synthesizes and forwards the documents to the council members. Council members can log in to evaluate and score each product online flexibly without having to meet in person. Each member's score is automatically aggregated by the system, ensuring speed and transparency.

Mr. Pham Tuyen, Head of the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development, Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: For members of the Evaluation and Classification Council, the software helps to perform scoring on a digital platform, the system automatically synthesizes results, thereby saving time and reducing printing documents. Evaluation and classification data is stored on the software, making it easy to retrieve, update and look up records. At the same time, the Chairman of the OCOP Product Evaluation and Classification Council can monitor the scoring results of each member, as well as the scoring progress and status of records.

In addition, the software also integrates the OCOP and Lang Son Province Agricultural Specialties Information Page with both web version and mobile application for general users. On this platform, OCOP products with valid certification, as well as product stories and contact information of each entity are posted, contributing to promoting and connecting the market.

Ms. Dam Thi Theo, Po Chang village, Xuan Duong commune, member of Po Chang Agricultural Cooperative, Xuan Duong commune said: Recently, I registered for classification assessment for my family's Taiwanese apple products. The declaration of information and submission of documents were done entirely online, so it was very convenient and easy. Through the software, I can track the score for each criterion, know clearly what is missing in the documents to promptly supplement. When there is a need to upgrade the rating, I just need to add the necessary information and documents to the system without having to start over.

After completing the Lang Son OCOP and specialty agricultural product information management software, the Department of Agriculture and Environment organized 3 training courses, instructing on how to use and operate the software for 80 trainees who are officers in charge of the provincial and commune OCOP program and OCOP subjects. Deployed since January 2025, up to now, 33/33 products of the communes have been scored and classified on the software. Of which, 30 products are classified as 3 stars, 8 products are classified as 4 stars. At the same time, the software also updated data of 218 products, including 204 OCOP products and 14 specialty agricultural products; 551 establishments producing OCOP products and some specialty agricultural products of the province on the software system.

In recent years, OCOP products have received special attention from consumers, because before being available on the market, each product must undergo a rigorous assessment process at many levels and ensure criteria on quality, hygiene and safety in production, processing, etc. Not only improving quality, manufacturers also invest in packaging and labels to increase the value of the product. The application of information technology is a new step forward contributing to improving the efficiency of management, evaluation, classification, and promotion of OCOP products, agricultural products, and specialties in the province.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/quan-ly-thong-minh-cho-nong-san-dac-san-lang-son-5058351.html