Maintaining traditional values ​​when making OCOP products

After more than 2 years of stagnation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 63/63 provinces in the country are now implementing the OCOP program, deploying concentrated raw material areas, orienting to modern production with biosafety methods, producing based on organic methods but still retains the taste and traditional values. The program has attracted the participation of many businesses, organizations and cooperatives in the production, processing and consumption of OCOP products. Numerous small manufacturing bases, family businesses and cooperative groups changed into companies and cooperatives. They make investments in modern equipment and technology for production, processing, preservation, products, as well as in trademark registration, business plan establishment, supportive capital assessment, since then build chain value of specific agricultural products for each locality.

According to Mr. Chu Thuc Dat, Director of the Department of Local Science and Technology Development at the Ministry of Science and Technology shared: During the past time, in order to ensure product quality and build the OCOP brand, localities have focused on developing raw material areas combined with high quality products with characteristics and advantages of each region. With the criteria of safe source of raw materials and sustainable development, the OCOP program contributes to economic restructuring in rural areas and opens up many opportunities for connection in building production chains, increase the value of traditional agricultural products.

In addition, production units, enterprises and cooperatives have also increased investment in technology, innovation, and application of scientific and technical advances in processing and preserving high quality OCOP products, creating a foundation to enhance the value and brand of products to meet the increasing demands of the market.

OCOP brand building – Enhance product value

Many OCOP fairs and exhibitions are organized and attracted trade

After the production phase, the steps of standardization, branding, trademark and industrial design for OCOP products in order to improve the value are also focused. Some localities have begun to pay attention to the development of OCOP products associated with branding and industrial design. This industrial design is applied to VietGAP, GlobalGap, HACCP, and so on to increase the reliability of the OCOP star certified product. Many localities also register and protect intellectual property for OCOP products, support the pilot application of the traceability system to help production units, businesses, and so on as well as consumers can easily trace the origin of OCOP products and goods.

Besides, in the process of promoting OCOP product development, encouraging trade to find output for products is also a matter of concern. Most localities cooperate with e-commerce sites, selling points and promoting through exhibitions and fairs in order to expand the market for OCOP products and create an effective distribution system. In addition, OCOP products are also provided geographical indications, registered trademarks and industrial designs to participate in major specialized fairs and exhibitions in key international markets such as the US, Europe, Japan, China, and so on to survey the market, open up opportunities for OCOP’s subjects to contact and expand the consumption market for Vietnam's OCOP products.

Mr. Huynh Van Binh - Nam Hieu Fruit Processing Single-Member Private Limited Liability Company (Can Tho City) said that his production unit also developed from a family business, although the company's juice products only got OCOP certification in 2022 but the company has been attempting to improve product quality, receive customer feedback on product quality, packaging design, while retain the natural and traditional flavor. The company hopes to bring customers the best products.

With the available potentials and strengths along with the strong promotion of innovation, science and technology, OCOP products are expected to develop strongly in the upcoming time. OCOP products not only achieve high quality, meet the new needs of customers, but also build their own distinctive traditional brand of each locality. Especially with the support from local authorities and ministries, the OCOP program will be a great motivation, supporting agricultural production associated with processing, connecting product consumption markets along the value chain, and contributing to sustainable socio-economic development.

Vang Nhung - Minh Tuan