Promoting the development of OCOP products.

Over the years, the implementation of the "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) program, linked with the National Target Program for New Rural Development in the province, has unleashed the potential and advantages of rural areas, increased people's income, and promoted rural economic development.

The "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) program is one of six key areas of focus that the Prime Minister has prioritized and issued decisions to implement, creating momentum for the successful implementation of the National Target Program for building new rural areas nationwide. In Cao Bang , after nearly five years of implementation, the OCOP program has spread widely.

The province currently has 144 OCOP products, including 13 four-star OCOP products and 131 three-star OCOP products belonging to four product groups: 124 food products, 11 beverage products, 6 handicraft products, and 3 products related to services, community tourism , ecotourism, and tourist destinations, involving 91 entities, including 27 cooperatives, 7 cooperative groups, 10 enterprises, and 47 production and business households. Many of these OCOP products embody the flavors of Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), such as vermicelli, sausages, smoked meat, Ong sticky rice, shiitake mushrooms, and "banh khao" (a type of Vietnamese cake). All OCOP products have been granted food safety certificates; have codes, barcodes, and traceability labels; and possess collective trademarks, certification marks, and geographical indications.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nong Thanh Man, affirmed: The OCOP program has achieved positive results, creating new and synchronized changes in production, contributing to the economic development of rural areas and the implementation of the New Rural Development Program. The initial product evaluation and classification process has been carried out rigorously and transparently, and the evaluation results have gained credibility and convinced both producers and consumers. Through the OCOP program, products have undergone many changes in quality, packaging, labeling, brand identity, and production scale. Previously, the product market was mainly within the district and commune, local markets, and sold to traders; now, it has expanded to include distributors and supermarkets in the province and other provinces and cities nationwide.

Local OCOP products are displayed at fairs and product showcase booths of the province.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, from Tan Giang ward (City), shared: "As living standards improve, people pay more attention to their health, so clean, high-quality products with clear origins are always of interest to customers, and OCOP products will be the first choice when people go shopping."

To ensure that OCOP products continue to leverage their competitive advantages and expand their markets, the province continues to direct localities to promote, encourage, and support OCOP entities in obtaining ISO and VietGAP quality certifications to enhance the value of OCOP products and build consumer confidence in product quality. The focus is on guiding and supporting OCOP entities in developing raw material areas to ensure a stable supply, helping entities control product quality and origin, and building sustainable and effective OCOP product production chains.

Support businesses in applying science and technology to product preservation. Guide businesses on enhancing product value, focusing on improving quality rather than quantity, with an emphasis on upgrading packaging and product design to meet market demands, ensuring product usability, and increasing product value. Organize trade fairs to promote OCOP products; support businesses in participating in promotional and trade activities for OCOP products within and outside the province. Organize training and guidance for businesses on applying information technology in promoting and selling OCOP products through various forms, such as: Livestreaming sales directly on social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok; linking products to e-commerce websites (Shopee, Lazada, Tiki, ocop247.vn...).

Implementing the OCOP Program, the province aims to leverage its internal resources, potential, and strengths in agriculture, promote sustainable local economic development, improve the lives of rural people, and contribute to the National Target Program for building new rural areas. Each recognized OCOP product is a building block for the province to construct a rapidly and sustainably developing agricultural sector.

Source: https://baocaobang.vn/thuc-day-phat-trien-san-pham-ocop-3175411.html