Chau Phu develops OCOP products.

Recently, the Chau Phu District People's Committee issued a plan and directed specialized departments to guide farmers in building brands for key, traditional products, focusing on exploiting and promoting the local strengths. District specialized departments regularly organize training on the OCOP program for leaders and specialists in charge, covering management methods, business strategies, and product development strategies aimed at improving quality and developing production along the value chain.

At the same time, we will strengthen the provision of advice to producers, businesses, cooperatives, and cooperative groups on how to improve products for participation in the OCOP program, such as: business registration, traceability labels, intellectual property registration, product design and packaging improvements, etc. Simultaneously, we will focus on supporting the development and improvement of the application of modern, environmentally friendly technologies in the production and business processes of OCOP products; and pay attention to perfecting potential products to meet standards and participate in the evaluation and classification of OCOP products according to the set criteria.

Activities promoting OCOP products and local specialties are given priority.

By the end of 2024, Chau Phu district had 8 OCOP products with remaining validity, including: Ba Ba Vui's fish sauce, Phuong Giau's dried catfish, Khanh Hoa's sun-dried frog, Khanh Hoa's longan, Cam Tu honey, Ngoc Han's ginseng wine, dried jackfruit, and dried fruits and vegetables from Dai Phat's facility. Among these, Khanh Hoa longan is one of the earliest products to receive 3-star OCOP certification in the district. Using longan trees grown locally, members of the Khanh Hoa Agricultural Trade, Service, and Tourism Cooperative applied advanced techniques and safe farming practices, ensuring production meets OCOP product standards and receiving traceability codes and OCOP certification. Recently, Khanh Hoa longan has received support for promotion and display at fairs and exhibitions, helping to stabilize sales, increase product value, and boost farmers' income.

For Ngoc Han's Centella Asiatica Wine product, the development process and OCOP certification were quite elaborate. In 2006, seeing the growing popularity of Centella Asiatica wine and the readily available supply of Centella Asiatica roots, Ms. Hoang and her husband (owners of Ngoc Han business in Binh Long commune) tried making Centella Asiatica wine for retail sale at home, supplying to stores. Seeing the large market demand, the couple decided to convert 600 square meters of land to growing Centella Asiatica to secure a local source of raw materials. Subsequently, the Ngoc Han Centella Asiatica Wine facility was established and registered its trademark. Currently, the product is increasingly supplied to the market, with sales channels built through social media and e-commerce platforms.

According to Huynh Van Tinh, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Chau Phu District, for products recognized as achieving OCOP 3-star status, specialized units will continue to support producers in completing the required procedures to maintain their certification; review OCOP products nearing expiration to guide them through the re-certification process. Simultaneously, they will complete product dossiers and related procedures for products with the potential for 4-star certification, proposing them to the evaluation council for ranking according to regulations. Furthermore, they will intensify propaganda efforts to raise awareness among people and producers about environmental hygiene in production and food safety knowledge. Regular inspections of food safety and environmental standards will be conducted for products that have received OCOP certification.

To enhance the effectiveness of the OCOP program, contribute to economic restructuring, increase people's income, and effectively implement the criteria group "Organization of production and rural economic development" in the National Criteria Set for New Rural Communes and Advanced New Rural Communes, the Chau Phu District People's Committee will coordinate with the Provincial Rural Development Coordination Office to organize training for relevant sectors, commune-level People's Committees, and entities with OCOP products and potential products in the district. They will also promote and support economic entities in bringing their district-level OCOP-certified products onto e-commerce platforms, connecting supply and demand in conjunction with provincial fairs and startup programs, creating conditions for the district's OCOP products to access markets within and outside the province. Simultaneously, they will support entities with potential products in completing the necessary documents and procedures to participate in the evaluation and classification of district-level OCOP products.