Stuck in post-merger procedures, many OCOP products are not yet supported

(GLO)- Although it has been recognized as meeting 3-star OCOP standards since the beginning of 2025, 7 products of Chu Pah district (old) have not yet received support for packaging and labeling according to regulations. The reason is that the process of merging administrative units makes disbursement difficult.

Many entities have not received packaging and labeling support.

The "One Commune One Product" (OCOP) program has been implemented by Chu Pah district (old) since 2020, with the goal of promoting the strengths of local agricultural products associated with new rural construction.

The area has many typical products such as tea, coffee, lingzhi mushrooms, medicinal plants and other native fruits. After nearly 6 years of implementation, the district has had 30 products recognized as meeting 3-4 star OCOP standards, contributing to improving the quality and value of agricultural products and creating jobs for rural people.

In 2025, Chu Pah district was allocated a total of 620 million VND to implement the OCOP program, including 520 million VND from the central budget and 100 million VND from the provincial budget.

Of which, 400 million VND is used to directly support OCOP products; the rest is used for professional activities such as product evaluation, classification, quality control, training and rewards...

Ms. Ro Cham Awưnh - Director of Jrai Ia Ly Agricultural Products Processing Company Limited (Mong Yo 1 village, Ia Phi commune), with the 3-star OCOP product certificate. Photo: Nguyen Diep

In the first 6 months of 2025, the OCOP Product Evaluation and Classification Council of Chu Pah District (old) organized the evaluation, classification and recognition of 7 products of 4 entities meeting the 3-star OCOP standards at the district level. After that, the entities received support for testing costs and bonuses according to regulations, each product after being recognized as 3 stars was 8 million VND.

However, packaging and labeling support - an important part to help perfect products and make them more competitive in the market - has not yet been paid.

Ms. Ro Cham Awưnh - Director of Jrai Ia Ly Agricultural Products Processing Company Limited (Mong Yo 1 village, Ia Phi commune), said: "I have participated in the OCOP program since 2024 and received timely support when my ground coffee products met 3-star standards. This year, I continue to invest in developing pure coffee bean products, upgrading quality, packaging and labels to serve a wider market. However, although I have been recognized as a 3-star OCOP since June, I have not yet received packaging and label support. Not only me but other entities are also waiting."

Sharing the same concern, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy (Group 2, Ia Ly Commune) - a private business household participating in the program for the first time - said: "My 3 products including Duc Khoi green banana powder, Duc Khoi green banana honey pills and Duc Khoi ginseng and turmeric honey pills are all recognized as 3-star OCOP. I completed the application in June, received the bonus and testing costs, but up to now I have not received support for packaging and labeling costs. This makes me very worried about investing in production, marketing and market expansion, especially after the dissolution of the district level and the merger of communes".

Difficulties from administrative transfer

Explaining the reason for the slow disbursement, Mr. Le Xuan Dung - former Head of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Chu Pah district (old) - said: The district's OCOP product evaluation and classification council has completed the evaluation and the district People's Committee has granted the 3-star OCOP certificate in June 2025.

However, that time coincided with the implementation of administrative unit arrangement according to the Resolution of the National Assembly . The district level was dissolved, the communes were merged, so the entire process of handing over documents, plans, and budgets was interrupted.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy (group 2, Ia Ly commune) with green banana products drying in a greenhouse.
Photo: Nguyen Diep

According to Mr. Dung, the budget for packaging and labeling support is still part of the plan to implement the National Target Program on New Rural Development. In which, products recognized as 3-star OCOP will last up to 3 years. However, the receipt and reallocation of the budget must wait for the new administrative agency after the merger to complete its organizational structure and financial plan.

“The current problems are mainly administrative procedures and capital transfer. OCOP entities can still receive packaging and labeling support, but it will be slower than in previous years. We hope the new government will soon complete the procedures to ensure the rights of program participants,” Mr. Dung added.

Products achieving 3-star OCOP in 2025 of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy (group 2, Ia Ly commune).
Photo: Nguyen Diep

For many small producers, especially individual businesses, packaging and labeling support not only helps them save investment costs but also facilitates product completion to compete in the market.

Slow disbursement may affect production and product consumption plans as well as reduce people's confidence in the OCOP program in the coming time.

To maintain the spread and encourage people and businesses to continue investing in OCOP products, it is necessary for administrative units after the merger to get involved early in disbursing on time.

Delays, even for objective reasons, need to be transparent and clearly explained to maintain the trust of people, businesses and cooperatives. Because these are the central forces in building new rural areas in a sustainable direction.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/vuong-thu-tuc-sau-sap-nhap-nhieu-san-pham-ocop-chua-duoc-ho-tro-post561672.html