Elevating OCOP products

(Quang Ngai Newspaper) - OCOP products are increasingly "popular" with consumers not only because of their superior quality, but also because they are "ambassadors" that contribute to promoting and spreading the typical values ​​of regions to the community and market through their own stories about culture and tradition.

Spreading traditional flavors Since the beginning of December, the sesame cake production facility of Co Man in Phu An village, Duc Hiep commune (Mo Duc) has been continuously on fire, but still cannot supply enough goods to the market. Grocery store owner Nguyen Thi Phung in Mo Duc town said that Co Man salty sesame cakes are popular with customers, especially Mo Duc children working far from home. Because Co Man sesame cakes are processed according to traditional methods, retaining their characteristic flavors, the product is attractive to consumers. Therefore, Co Man sesame cake production facility operates year-round, with stable consumption output. Particularly during holidays and Tet, the demand for sesame cakes increases sharply. "Many OCOP product distribution units place large orders, but I only accept a small amount. Because, near Tet and after Tet, there are too many individual orders, so I take advantage of favorable weather to light up the fire, to contribute to spreading the flavor of Tet to every home, everyone", said the owner of Co Man sesame cake production facility, Le Thi Man. Meanwhile, the Myton banh tet and banh chung production facility in Tinh Ha town (Son Tinh) these days always has the aroma of sticky rice and mung beans. Ms. Ton Thi Quynh My said, considered the flavor of Tet, when recognized as an OCOP product, Myton banh chung is known by many consumers in and outside the province. Therefore, in addition to investing in developing the production scale, in the coming time, I will organize activities to experience how to make banh chung and banh tet for young people, students, and university students, contributing to preserving the tradition and spreading the cuisine of my hometown.

Ms. Ton Thi Quynh My, in Tinh Ha town (Son Tinh), instructs teenagers on how to make banh chung and banh tet.

According to the assessment of the Provincial New Rural Development Program Coordination Office, the tireless efforts of the subjects have helped more than 240 OCOP products in the province to be increasingly trusted and chosen by consumers. Many products are imbued with the flavor of the homeland and are creative in design and packaging, contributing to increasing competitiveness in the market, especially during the Lunar New Year. Ms. Bui Thi Minh Hoa, in Duc Chanh commune (Mo Duc) said that each locality and region has its own products with unique characteristics and cultural features. Therefore, since the OCOP products were available, I have prioritized their use partly because I believe in their quality and partly because I want to contribute to promoting regional culture to the community and consumers in the market through each OCOP product. Thereby, contributing to preserving traditional crafts and spreading the traditional and cultural values ​​of my homeland. Journey to preserve and enhance According to Decision No. 148/QD-TTg dated February 24, 2023 of the Prime Minister on regulations on criteria and process for evaluating and classifying OCOP products, products classified as OCOP stars must meet many criteria. That forces OCOP entities to focus on improving product quality and design, in accordance with practical regulations.

Co Man sesame cake production facility, in Phu An village, Duc Hiep commune (Mo Duc) produces products that are not enough to supply the market.

Vice Chairman of Mo Duc District People's Committee Ngo Van Thanh said that the quality and product stories have helped many OCOP products conquer consumers and increasingly assert themselves in the market. Therefore, many OCOP entities focus on investing in improving designs, types and product diversity, shifting from fresh to processed products, ensuring food safety and hygiene... Many OCOP products are prioritized by consumers in daily life, so there is a potential risk of being imitated, counterfeited or brand swapped. To protect entities as well as consumers, local authorities proactively coordinate with functional agencies to strengthen inspection, supervision and strict control of the use of logos and OCOP star validity to promptly detect and prevent violations.

Monitoring the use of OCOP logos and stars From December 14, 2024 to January 21, 2025, 18 products of 14 entities in Binh Son, Son Ha, Mo Duc districts and Duc Pho town, Quang Ngai city have expired OCOP certificates. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed relevant agencies and units to coordinate in notifying and guiding entities to register and complete registration dossiers for product re-evaluation and re-classification according to the OCOP plan and cycle. At the same time, strengthen inspection and supervision of the use of OCOP product certification marks (OCOP logo, OCOP star) to print and stick on product packaging and labels. For entities that do not re-evaluate, they are not allowed to use OCOP product certificates and OCOP product certification marks.

Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Ho Trong Phuong said that one of the successes of the OCOP program is that it has created livelihoods for people, especially in remote areas, while helping to preserve and spread the unique cultural values ​​of each locality. Therefore, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development coordinates with localities and related units to orient the development of OCOP products by minimizing fresh products and prioritizing deeply processed products. At the same time, it recommends that subjects prioritize the use of safe, environmentally friendly raw materials to increase value, meet increasingly high standards and diversity of the domestic market, and aim for export. Agencies and units under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development also support and guide subjects to focus on tracing the origin of products, ensuring transparency and prestige for consumers.

Article and photos: MY HOA

Source: https://baoquangngai.vn/kinh-te/202501/nang-tam-san-pham-ocop-f753d5b/