Ben Tre OCOP products: The essence of resources and technology

The OCOP program helps people in Ben Tre province gradually access advanced science and technology, developing products with the typical characteristics of the coconut land.

Ben Tre OCOP products are promoted at major conferences and events across the country. Photo: Nhat Duy.

Policy of consensus In recent years, Ben Tre province has identified the development of agricultural production and new rural construction as a key task. With the efforts of the political system, organizations and people, the locality has implemented many solutions to exploit and use local resources effectively. Applying science and technology associated with adapting to climate change. In particular, the One Commune One Product program has effectively promoted the existing strengths of typical products of rural industries, promoted the restructuring process of the agricultural sector, and gradually realized the socio-economic development goals of the locality. The project "One Commune One Product Program of Ben Tre province for the period 2018-2020 with a vision to 2030" was approved by the People's Committee of Ben Tre province in Decision No. 2882/QD-UBND dated December 28, 2018. The focus of the Program is to develop agricultural, non-agricultural and service products with local advantages according to the value chain. Accordingly, the locality promotes the development of production and business organization models for traditional products and services in rural areas, enhancing competitiveness in domestic and international markets. Effectively implement the criteria group "Economy and production organization" in new rural construction in Ben Tre province. Ben Tre strives to have at least 200 OCOP products meeting 3-star standards or higher by 2025. Of which, 30 products are 5-star or have 5-star potential; at least 5 OCOP products are 3-star or higher in the group of community tourism products and services and tourist destinations. Upgrade at least 20% of OCOP products that have been evaluated, classified, and prioritized for development for cooperatives and small and medium enterprises. Strive to have at least 20% of OCOP entities being cooperatives, 10% of craft village entities having OCOP products recognized. In the past time, Ben Tre has 252 OCOP products, of which 192 are 3-star products, 56 are 4-star products, 4 are 5-star products with 112 OCOP entities. Many OCOP products are strengths of the province such as coconut, green-skinned grapefruit, durian, rambutan, clean rice, clean vegetables, clams, sea crabs, cakes, jams, tourism services.

Combination of science and technology

Developing OCOP products associated with building typical agricultural raw material areas in a concentrated, clean, safe and export-oriented direction. Photo: Nhat Duy.

Currently, Ben Tre province has issued 100,000 QR Code stamps to 100 households in 03 pilot areas of the Green-Skin Grapefruit product project; supported 60,000 QR Code stamps to agricultural cooperatives/groups for green-skin grapefruit, durian, and shrimp products. All OCOP products in the province are promoted on e-commerce platforms. Over 15% of key products of advanced new rural communes are traded through e-commerce channels. Regarding the application of science, innovation, and improvement of processing technology for small and medium-scale production activities, especially OCOP products are recognized and promoted. Production lines, machinery, and equipment are invested in by enterprises, cooperatives/groups, contributing to improving the value and quality and diversifying OCOP products. The locality has also implemented solutions to protect and effectively exploit the value of intellectual property such as geographical indications, collective trademarks, and certification trademarks for OCOP products. In addition, in order to protect coconut production areas, the provincial agricultural sector has coordinated with Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry to raise parasitic bees from the project "Research to assess and determine the level of damage caused by coconut leaf-eating caterpillars and build a model, propose management and prevention solutions in a safe biological direction in Ben Tre province". The application of biological solutions and integrated pest management (IPM) in controlling black-headed caterpillars on coconuts has contributed to limiting damage to coconut trees, enhancing the value chain and developing the coconut production industry in the province. In addition, the locality has also focused on expanding advanced irrigation solutions, transferring the process of fermenting feed for beef cattle, and distilling essential oils from grapefruit by-products.

The implementation of the OCOP Program in the province is of great significance to the socio-economic development of the province as well as improving the lives of people in rural areas. Photo: Nhat Duy.

Over the past 5 years, the implementation of the OCOP Program in Ben Tre province has had an important meaning in the socio -economic development of the province as well as improving the lives of people in rural areas. Contributing to more effectively exploiting the potential and strengths of each locality, developing quality products according to standards, increasing competitiveness, meeting market demand in the context of international economic integration. The program also creates conditions for people to change backward production practices, creatively start businesses, gradually approach and apply advanced science and technology in production, grasp market information well, thereby deciding to choose and develop high-quality products with high added value, especially creating many products with the typical characteristics of the homeland of coconut.

Kieu Trang - Nhat Duy

Source: https://nongnghiep.vn/san-pham-ocop-ben-tre-tinh-hoa-tu-tai-nguyen-va-cong-nghe-d373189.html