Applying science and technology to improve the quality of OCOP products

Production line of OCOP products from bird's nest of Thanh Son Yen Production and Trading Company Limited.

For Thieu Hoa district, the OCOP program has initially exploited local potential and advantages, creating products with high economic value, clear origin, ensuring food hygiene and safety, competitiveness and meeting market demand. Most entities are aware of applying science and technology to produce according to standards and quality standards, such as: High-tech agricultural production, clean agriculture, organic agriculture; innovating technology, equipment, applying advanced quality management systems... For products that have been awarded stars, entities have boldly invested in expanding production scale, improving product quality, perfecting product design and packaging... ensuring market tastes and demands... The application of science and technology is also considered a "passport" for products to be consumed in supermarkets and modern distribution systems.

Sharing about the process of building the brand of Anh Duong crispy rice products, Mr. Nguyen Trong Tho, Tan Chau commune said: “To increase the value of the product, I have switched from manual production to investing in machinery to ensure food safety and hygiene, environmental hygiene to meet strict market standards. With raw materials from sticky rice grown according to VietGAP standards to achieve a certain level of stickiness, then put in a dehumidifying room to make the product easy to preserve; using the method of drying by sunlight combined with a closed drying system using air-conditioned steam to no longer depend on the weather, ensuring more hygiene and quality. The accompanying floss is made from clean meat with origin, source, and quality control. After drying, the rice is put into a specialized fryer to avoid oil absorption and the product is packaged in a specialized plastic bag for instant food, ensuring food safety and hygiene”. Thanks to automation in the production process and being recognized as a 3-star OCOP product at the provincial level, the production scale has been expanded, not only consumed in the province, Anh Duong crispy rice products are also trusted by consumers nationwide.

After Binh Son tea was recognized as meeting the 3-star OCOP standard, the product has received more attention from consumers, posing more challenges in terms of product quantity and quality. In 2023, with the support of the locality, Binh Son Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative, Binh Son Commune (Trieu Son) boldly invested in a system of machinery according to an automated chain such as a cold dryer, tea powder grinder, vacuum cleaner, tea bag packing machine... Mr. Le Dinh Tu, Director of the Cooperative, said: "Cold drying technology has the ability to recover heat and moisture from the raw material drying chamber through the steam condensation system, so the product retains its color and nutrition. In addition, the drying process is carried out in a closed loop, so it is not affected by external weather conditions, temperature and humidity. For bag sealing machines, the temperature can be adjusted to suit the packaging material to be packaged, the sealing line is beautiful, saving time and labor costs". From one initial product, the Cooperative has now successfully developed four tea products that meet 3-star OCOP standards; supplying the market with more than 50 tons of various types of dry tea each year.

It can be affirmed that the application of science and technology and new technology is one of the key factors helping OCOP products in the province to improve the quality and competitiveness in domestic and foreign markets. Many enterprises, cooperatives and production households have invested in purchasing and installing modern equipment, ensuring closed production... contributing to improving the quality, output and value, such as products: Son moc tra - young guava leaves; Son moc tra - ginger, perilla; Le Gia shrimp paste, shrimp paste; Thanh Hoa fried bird's nest; Van Hoa melon... At the same time, attention is paid to packaging design, product models, product traceability to build brands, promote and expand the consumer market. Therefore, Thanh Hoa 's OCOP products increasingly affirm their quality, create brands and reputation in the market... consumption output increases annually by 30 - 40%. In addition to applying science and technology, to improve the OCOP products, Thanh Hoa province continues to promote and trade agricultural products and OCOP on e-commerce platforms, supporting production and business units to establish intellectual property rights, build collective brands, certification brands and geographical indications. Thereby helping OCOP products get closer to domestic consumers, while creating a solid foundation for products on the market.

Article and photos: Le Ngoc

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ung-dung-khoa-hoc-ky-thuat-nang-cao-chat-luong-san-pham-ocop-246150.htm