Cooperatives are bustling into Spring.

As the new spring is approaching, it is also the time when members of cooperatives are busy producing, creating a large volume of goods, ensuring quality, serving consumption during Tet. The development of cooperatives not only preserves cultural beauty but also creates regular jobs for thousands of workers, creating economic and social momentum. In particular, many typical products of cooperatives in the Ancestral Land have created brands, reaching far into the domestic and export markets.

Thanh Son - Phu Tho sour meat cooperative, Thanh Son town, Thanh Son district focuses on improving the design and quality of OCOP products to meet market demand during Tet.

Diversified products, proactive "supply" source

These days, the production atmosphere at Thanh Son - Phu Tho sour meat cooperative, Thanh Son town, Thanh Son district has become busier. In particular, traditional sour meat products, garlic chili flavor, galangal flavor, spring rolls, bamboo tube sour meat... are all produced in larger quantities, especially bamboo tube sour meat products, plastic box sour meat that meet 4-star OCOP standards. On this occasion, the cooperative received additional orders from agents, agricultural product stores, convenience stores in more than 20 provinces and cities nationwide...

The 11th lunar month of each year is the peak production time of the cooperative. Ms. Ha Thi Ngoc Diep - Director of the cooperative said: On this occasion, the cooperative has to mobilize nearly 20 workers to increase production to ensure the supply of goods to the market. At the end of the year, the cooperative aims to produce about 300kg of sour meat per day, enough for large orders before December 15. In addition to ensuring quality, for sour meat products that meet OCOP standards, the cooperative focuses on in-depth investment in design and packaging to suit modern tastes and bear the cultural imprint of the Ancestral Land, making them an ideal choice for consumers as Tet gifts.

Like Thanh Son - Phu Tho Sour Meat Cooperative, since the beginning of October, My Lung Ga Gay Sticky Rice Production Cooperative and My Lung Commune General Trading Cooperative, Yen Lap District has begun to receive orders for Tet. Up to now, the Cooperative has delivered about 60% of the OCOP-standard Ga Gay sticky rice to the domestic and foreign markets according to orders. Mr. Khuat Ngoc Tung - Director of the Cooperative informed: By promoting the production of goods for Tet, the Cooperative has created jobs for many local workers, creating conditions for members to have additional income to cover Tet expenses. To achieve these successes, the Cooperative has actively participated in trade promotion programs and events organized by the province, and at the same time received support for consumption connections from the authorities, thereby in 2024, the number of customers increased, and the distribution channel significantly expanded.

Currently, the whole province has hundreds of OCOP products from 3 to 5 stars, focusing on agricultural products, processed foods, beverages, and handicrafts. During Tet, products of cooperatives are assessed to have good consumption and are favored by consumers. Agricultural products include Doan Hung grapefruit, Thanh Son sour meat, Hung Lo rice noodles, Ga Gay sticky rice, Phu Thinh green tea, Da Hen green tea, Long Coc tea, Cam My tea, Dat To banh chung; meat, vegetable and fruit products. In addition to familiar specialty products, during Tet, the market welcomes many new, quality products from cooperatives such as: Papaya flower tea - purple black xạ, perilla leaf tea, celery tea... sticky rice products, wine, salted chicken...

Products of Yen Lap district cooperatives are introduced and sold at the market to promote the consumption of products from ethnic minority and mountainous areas in the province.

In fact, the OCOP “bridge” is contributing to opening the door to consumption during the Tet holiday. Cooperatives strictly implement standards from quality to packaging so that products have an increasingly solid position in the domestic and international markets. Right from the last months of the year, cooperatives with OCOP products have proactively increased the quantity and diversified their products. Some units have coordinated with supermarkets and commercial centers in the province to open booths selling OCOP products, creating convenience for consumers to choose products and increase revenue during the Tet holiday.

"Bridge" of cooperative products on the rise

Currently, there are 624 cooperatives operating in the province with more than 108,400 members. From the development strategy of diversifying goods and agricultural products according to market demand, many cooperatives have played a good role in promoting the formation of cooperative models producing according to value chains associated with key local products. Up to now, the whole province has 127 products of nearly 80 cooperatives that have been assessed and classified as meeting OCOP standards of 3 stars or higher. Cooperative OCOP products are increasingly affirming their position in the market, the value of goods from OCOP products has increased by 15 - 20%, opening up prospects for sustainable development for cooperatives and the local economy.

Having been a "regular customer" of imported goods for many years, this Tet holiday, Ms. Mai Hoa, Gia Cam ward, Viet Tri city, prioritizes choosing OCOP products from cooperatives such as: Hung Lo rice noodles, Long Coc tea, Hong Sam lotus leaf tea... She shared with reporters: "Not only my family but also my colleagues at work have the habit of using OCOP cooperative products with strong regional identity. Moreover, finding and buying products is relatively easy, just go to supermarkets, clean food stores or go to e-commerce trading floors to find the products. This year, my family has chosen OCOP products for use and as gifts. This is also my way of supporting Dat To agricultural products".

Hung Lo rice noodles products of Hung Lo Rice Noodle Cooperative, Hung Lo Commune, Viet Tri City, displayed at the OCOP product display and introduction booth, are the preferred choice of customers.

OCOP products of cooperatives have been designed by districts, cities, towns and entities to attract consumers; have full necessary information of the product, QR code, barcode... ensuring food hygiene and safety regulations. In addition to traditional consumption channels, in line with the digital transformation flow, cooperatives have initially applied technology to open more consumption channels through websites, social networks... As a "bridge", to support and accompany cooperatives in trade promotion, connecting product consumption during the Lunar New Year, the Provincial Cooperative Union participates in organizing displays, promotions, and introductions of cooperatives' products at events, fairs, and promotion on mass media and social networks to work with cooperatives to bring the province's agricultural products to a large number of consumers.

According to Ms. Vu Thi Minh Tam - Permanent Vice President of the Provincial Cooperative Union, Lunar New Year is the biggest shopping occasion of the year for consumers, an opportunity for cooperatives to expand production, increase revenue and an opportunity to promote products and spread their brands. Based on understanding customer tastes, cooperatives focus on improving product quality, changing designs, proactively promoting trade promotion, expanding market share, diversifying approaches to markets and customer segments. This is also a favorable opportunity for cooperatives to take advantage of market demand, maximizing the "star" reputation of OCOP products for long-term and sustainable development.

A new Spring has come. Spring colors are everywhere on every street, every countryside, people are rushing to celebrate Tet, enjoy Spring. Cooperative products are gradually "shipped" to consumers in the cheerful laughter, carrying the wish for a full, reunited, and happy Tet. In order for the products of the Cooperative to go further, especially in the context of many difficulties, not only is it necessary to have a passion for creativity but also to have more support in terms of capital, branding, production linkage... This will be the "luggage" to help the Cooperatives continue to develop in the future.

Thanh Nga

Source: https://baophutho.vn/cac-hop-tac-xa-hoi-ha-vao-xuan-227100.htm