Introducing and promoting OCOP products typical of the Co Tu people

(Chinhphu.vn) – On the morning of August 15, in the mountainous district of Dong Giang, Quang Nam province, the first A Rieu Chili Festival in 2024 took place, aiming to introduce and promote tourism and local agricultural products, especially A Rieu chili - a typical 4-star OCOP product of the Co Tu people.

Mr. Le Van Dung, Chairman of Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee (middle) and local leaders introduce and promote A Rieu chili.

The event was organized by the People's Committee of Dong Giang district in coordination with Hang Gop Eco-tourism Joint Stock Company and Ma Cooih Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative, attracting a large number of people and tourists.

The first A Rieu Chili Festival in 2024 takes place from August 15 to 16, with many impressive cultural and tourism activities such as: Opening and closing art programs, photo exhibition of agricultural products and OCOP products, culinary display, gong and drum dance competition with sacred fire, tung tung za za dance; recreational sports activities such as slingshot shooting, swimming, A Rieu chili eating contest with Quang noodles, great forest dance show and cultural exchange...

At this Festival, people and tourists can also visit the space to promote and introduce agricultural products with the participation of 11 communes and towns of Dong Giang district, displaying typical local agricultural and forestry products, especially products related to A Rieu chili.

On this occasion, there was also a signing ceremony for the purchase of A Rieu chili products between representatives of Dong Giang Cong Troi Eco-tourism Area and Ma Cooih Agricultural and Forestry Cooperative to create stable output and support local people.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the festival, Mr. Le Van Dung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Nam province emphasized: "The first A Rieu Chili Festival is an activity connecting agricultural product development and eco-tourism in Dong Giang district to contribute to honoring and affirming the value, origin and brand of A Rieu chili, a typical product of the Truong Son mountains and forests".

People harvest A Rieu chili in the mountains and forests

On this occasion, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Nam province requested Dong Giang district and local people to take full advantage of local advantages, turning A Rieu chili products and other OCOP products such as tea, black turmeric starch, kakun wine, etc. into products with high economic value; improve designs, enhance product quality to meet market requirements; actively support local people, connect and bring A Rieu chili closer to consumers.

Mr. Dinh Van Bao, Vice Chairman of Dong Giang District People's Committee, said that A Rieu chili has long been one of the important spices in dishes and has become a part of the culture of the Co Tu people living in the Truong Son mountain range. A Rieu in Co Tu language means starling. The A Rieu chili in Dong Giang region was named after the legend of the starling bird eating the chili growing in the forest, thereby spreading the seeds throughout the mountains and forests.

The unique soil and climate conditions have created the A Rieu chili variety with a rather small size, a very distinctive spicy and aromatic flavor, quite different from chili varieties in other places.

“This chili variety is recognized as a completely natural organic agricultural product, a 4-star OCOP product at the provincial level, contributing to improving the livelihoods and sustainable development of ethnic minorities in the mountainous areas towards commodity production and biodiversity conservation.

This agricultural product is widely grown in many communes and has now been propagated on 12 hectares with about 100 households participating. This type of chili has a year-round harvest yield, with an estimated output in the area reaching 10.5 tons. After preliminary processing, it will be preserved and processed into many typical local foods such as salted A Rieu chili, A Rieu chili sauce, A Rieu chili salt, sour salted A Rieu chili...," said the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Giang district.

Nhat Anh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/gioi-thieu-quang-ba-san-pham-ocop-dac-trung-cua-dong-bao-co-tu-102240815110227052.htm