Developing OCOP products in depth

After nearly 6 years of implementing the “One Commune One Product” (OCOP) program, the province has now had 138 products certified as OCOP, including 43 4-star products and 95 3-star products. In addition to promoting and advertising consumption, the subjects have also focused on investing in upgrading OCOP products in depth to meet the increasing demands of the market.

OCOP entities are regularly supported to participate in fairs and trade promotion activities - Photo: LA

Established in 2019, Khe Sanh Agricultural Cooperative, Huong Tan Commune, Huong Hoa District is known as one of the typical OCOP models of the province with 2 products certified with 4-star OCOP: "Khe Sanh Coffee 100% Arabica powder" and "Khe Sanh Coffee roasted beans".

Director of Khe Sanh Agricultural Cooperative Nguyen Thi Hang said that in order to improve the quality and ensure coffee production and trading, since its establishment, the Cooperative has worked with the locality to encourage farmers to abandon the old farming methods and the habit of harvesting green coffee and soaking it in water. Instead, they produce clean coffee in an organic direction, and the Cooperative will purchase coffee to ensure quality. In addition to new planting, the Cooperative also focuses on guiding people to invest in caring for, replanting and improving perennial coffee areas.

According to Ms. Hang, the cooperative currently requires that when the tree reaches 95% or more ripe fruit, people can harvest it and not soak the fruit in water or mix it with impurities before the cooperative buys it. Up to now, the cooperative has 30 official members, 115 members associated with 7 groups working together to build a clean, closed coffee chain with a total area of ​​nearly 160 hectares, annual output reaching over 2,000 tons of fresh coffee fruit. Signing product consumption contracts with 5 enterprises, revenue reaches over 22 billion VND/year. "For OCOP products, currently, Khe Sanh Coffee 100% Arabica powder product of the cooperative has been unanimously approved by the Provincial OCOP Product Evaluation and Classification Council to submit to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for registration for evaluation and classification of national OCOP products (5 stars). This will be an opportunity to elevate and bring Quang Tri coffee further and further, with higher value", Ms. Hang said.

According to statistics from the Department of Rural Development (DARD), up to now, the whole province has 138 OCOP products, of which: 43 are 4-star products, 95 are 3-star products. There are 76 OCOP entities, of which: 21 are cooperatives, 9 are cooperative groups, 22 are enterprises, 24 are production and business households. Notably, 2 products including Khe Sanh Coffee 100% Arabica powder of Khe Sanh Agricultural Cooperative and health protection food Cao Ca Gai Leo of An Xuan Organic Medicinal Materials Company Limited have been proposed to the National OCOP Product Evaluation and Classification Council to evaluate and recognize the 5-star rating. Director of the DARD Hoang Minh Tri affirmed that the OCOP program has helped create good quality products, beautiful designs, produced according to quality-controlled, transparent and responsible processes. Many OCOP products are key local products such as coffee, medicinal herbs, etc. Thereby, contributing to solving rural employment, developing local economies, and improving farmers' living standards. Supporting the connection and consumption of OCOP products has created a driving force to stimulate entities to actively invest in expanding scale and diversifying products.

To improve OCOP products, the province has also implemented many programs and policies to support entities in consulting, supporting product development, standardizing raw material areas and production processes, promoting trade, developing OCOP introduction and sales facilities...

According to Mr. Hoang Minh Tri, in order for the province's OCOP products to develop and reach further, the entities must link production according to the commodity value chain, creating large output and consistent product quality. Apply technology to create high-quality products, increase productivity but still maintain the traditional cultural values ​​of each product.

For upgrading OCOP products, in addition to the proactiveness, flexibility, boldness in investment and innovation in production processes of the subjects, the participation of localities in guiding procedures, documents, maintaining and upgrading products is very necessary.

On the provincial side, the Department of Rural Development has advised the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop strategies and solutions to closely follow reality so that OCOP products can truly gain a firm foothold in domestic and foreign markets.

Coordinate with localities and relevant units to promote and diversify forms of propaganda, regularly organize seminars, conferences, tours, and learning experiences to share information and raise awareness of businesses, organizations, and individuals participating in OCOP products to clearly understand the content, meaning, and benefits of participating in the OCOP program.

Building and developing raw material areas for OCOP products based on the province's general planning for agricultural development towards safe and organic production, creating opportunities to attract businesses to participate in the OCOP product production process, forming value chains.

Develop production organization forms, convert the type of operation of OCOP product production facilities from individuals, households, cooperatives to establish enterprises and cooperatives. Gradually standardize products according to the annual OCOP cycle. Select potential 5-star products to upgrade and support the submission to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

At the same time, strengthen support for entities in promoting the application of science and technology in developing rural industries, services, and tourism associated with innovation, promoting processing and building brands to improve the quality and value of OCOP products. Promote trade promotion activities, connecting supply and demand for OCOP products.

Continue to advise the province to have specific policies to develop OCOP products associated with community tourism, both preserving and promoting traditional cultural beauty and creating momentum for OCOP products to reach further.

Le An

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/phat-trien-san-pham-ocop-theo-chieu-sau-187975.htm