Tuong Duong has the first OCOP product from growing medicinal herbs under the forest canopy.

At the end of December 2024, after 2 years of implementing medicinal plant growing models under the forest canopy for purple velvet anise, people of Yen Hoa commune (Tuong Duong) had the first OCOP product of the commune from this new model. Specifically, purple velvet anise tea of Yen Hoa commune is 1 of 12 agricultural products proposed for recognition of meeting 3-star OCOP standards at the district level in 2024. As a result, the Evaluation Council scored and recognized Yen Hoa purple velvet anise tea as meeting 3-star OCOP standards.

Tương Dương có sản phẩm OCOP đầu tiên từ trồng dược liệu dưới tán rừng — Yen Hoa commune's Khoi Nhung tea has just been evaluated to meet the 3-star OCOP standard of Tuong Duong district. Photo: HT

Mr. Mong Van Vien - Vice Chairman of Yen Hoa Commune People's Committee said that farmers are very excited because for the first time their agricultural products meet OCOP standards, which is both a source of encouragement for farmers to increase production and opens up a sustainable direction in local agricultural production. Purple velvet antler gardens in Yen Hoa Commune are all planted under the canopy of natural forests through the support of two sources. These are funding from the Global Environment Facility and public investment capital from the National Target Program for Socio -Economic Development of Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas.

Mr. Vien added that people in Yen Hoa commune benefited from the funding of the Project "Supporting communities in buffer zone communes to develop medicinal plants under forest canopy to increase income and conserve biodiversity in the Western Nghe An World Biosphere Reserve". The three villages of Dinh Yen, Yen Tan and Yen Hop grow medicinal plants under forest canopy such as yellow flower tea, purple Morinda officinalis and purple velvet antler. From the models funded since 2022 showing high efficiency and potential for replication, the District People's Committee has instructed the commune to deploy an additional 3 hectares of purple velvet antler from public investment sources of national target programs.

At the end of 2023, purple velvet anise trees in Yen Hoa commune were harvested. In addition to selling seedlings, fresh leaves and dried leaves, producers and the Commune People's Committee have developed purple velvet anise tea products that meet OCOP standards. During hot weather months, purple velvet anise leaves are dried at natural temperatures, and during rainy and humid weather, they are dried with agricultural dryers. The dryers are also invested from public investment capital of the national target program.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Hien - Vice Chairman of Tuong Duong District People's Committee, Chairman of the Council for Evaluation and Classification of OCOP Program products in 2024 said that one of the criteria for evaluating products that meet OCOP standards at the district level of Tuong Duong is to meet technical standards in production such as: input materials, people, production facilities to final products brought to the market must be standardized, have quality standards and be certified (VIETGAP, GMP, HACCP...). Because this is an important factor that helps products bring trust to customers, creating opportunities to bring OCOP products of the district to ensure quality and reputation to markets inside and outside the district, in the province and the whole country. In 2024, Tuong Duong district has 12 products participating in the OCOP Program that are rated 3 stars. In addition to purple velvet tea of Yen Hoa commune, there are also: Ban Ve goby fish, Ban Ve fish cakes, Ban Ve giong fish; Huoi Co chicken eggs, Tam Dinh commune; Na Lot yellow flower tea, Nhon Mai commune; Y Mo dried banana seeds, Huu Khuong commune; Ha Phuong sticky rice wine, nem thinh, nem chua products; sour meat in bamboo tubes, Nga My commune; Tuong Duong sausage. Source: https://baonghean.vn/tuong-duong-co-san-pham-ocop-dau-tien-tu-trong-duoc-lieu-duoi-tan-rung-10288245.html