So that OCOP is not just a brand

The green tea production model serving the development of OCOP products associated with eco-tourism opens up a new direction in tea regions in the province. In the photo: La Bang commune tea region.

Elevating local products

Before the merger, Bac Kan province had 245 OCOP products and Thai Nguyen had 315 products with 3 to 5 stars. To date, the whole province after the merger has had 9 more products recognized, bringing the total number of OCOP products to 569. Specifically, including: 10 5-star OCOP products, 113 4-star products and 446 3-star products.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tung, Deputy Head of the Provincial Department of Economic Cooperation and Rural Development, emphasized: The province's OCOP program is oriented towards improving product quality, increasing economic value from brands, and aiming for sustainable development.

The diversity of natural conditions, cultural identity and traditional craft village system is an important foundation for Thai Nguyen to promote its internal strength and create socio-economic values through the OCOP Program.

Many traditional local products have raised their brand when participating in OCOP, such as: Tea, tangerines, Bao Thai rice, vermicelli, turmeric starch, sausage, fermented wine, banh chung...

The OCOP program creates opportunities for local products to be evaluated and clearly positioned, while promoting businesses, cooperatives and processing facilities to expand production scale.

Tai Hoan Cooperative, Con Minh Commune, expects to have more support to expand production scale and approach large partners in the market.

Dat Phat Clean Tea Cooperative, Vo Tranh Commune, has 3 products that have achieved 4-star OCOP, including: Dat Phat Tea, Dat Phat Shrimp Tea and Dat Phat Hook Tea. Mr. Vu Dinh Thom, Director of the Cooperative said: Achieving OCOP standards helps our products reach a larger market, enhance our reputation and create trust for customers.

Promote brand value

Achieving OCOP standards is just the first step, the core is to promote the brand to expand the domestic market and move towards sustainable exports. Product quality needs to be guaranteed comprehensively, from raw material areas, processing and preservation processes, to the awareness of producing high-quality goods of each OCOP entity.

Currently, the province's 10 national 5-star OCOP products are all branded products on the market, creating high economic value.

In which, there are 3 groups of health protection food products Vicumax of Bac Ha Pharmaceutical Technology Joint Stock Company, Bac Kan ward; vermicelli of Tai Hoan Cooperative, Con Minh commune; vermicelli of Viet Cuong Vermicelli Cooperative, Dong Hy commune; Dinh tea and shrimp tea of Hao Dat Tea Cooperative, Tan Cuong commune; Huong Que shrimp tea of Phu Luong Agricultural Products Cooperative, Hop Thanh commune; shiitake mushrooms of Phu Gia Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Dai Phuc commune; Tay ethnic cultural tourism products - Thai Hai village of Thai Hai Co., Ltd., Tan Cuong commune.

Bac Ha Pharmaceutical Technology Joint Stock Company, Bac Kan ward, focuses on producing high quality products according to OCOP standards.

As a company with 3 5-star OCOP products, Ms. Nguyen Thi Le, Deputy Director of Bac Ha Pharmaceutical Technology Joint Stock Company, said: The company's products are all in the health protection food group, so quality standards are always put first. The company constantly innovates technology, applies science and technology to production, and at the same time promotes the value of the OCOP brand with the motto: "Prestige, quality, for community health".

Along with improving product output and quality, Thai Nguyen pays special attention to promoting and expanding the OCOP consumption market. Entities are supported to participate in displaying and introducing products at fairs and exhibitions nationwide; accessing reputable distribution channels such as supermarket systems, tourist attractions, rest stops on highways and e-commerce platforms.

Mr. Pham Hong Quan, Chairman of La Hien Commune People's Committee, said: We have custard apple products that are recognized as 3-star OCOP. Every year, the commune coordinates to organize the custard apple festival, attracting thousands of visitors and experiencers; at the same time, actively participates in trade promotion, thereby affirming the brand and promoting the consumption of typical local products.

Dat Phat clean tea cooperative, Vo Tranh commune, currently has 3 products achieving 4-star OCOP.

With the support of the province and specialized agencies, many OCOP products have expanded their consumption channels, gradually penetrating the modern retail system and aiming for export, instead of being limited to the local market. OCOP product introduction and sales points are supported to be built in central areas, gradually forming an effective promotion, marketing and consumption connection network, contributing to enhancing the brand.

Ms. Dang Lien, a resident of Phan Dinh Phung ward: My family often chooses to consume OCOP products, especially agricultural products and food, to contribute to protecting health. These are products with clear origins, local specialties, so we are completely assured of the quality...

The attraction of the OCOP Program helps localities as well as many enterprises, cooperatives, and production facilities clearly recognize their advantages, actively produce and orient towards local products. The number of agricultural cooperatives has increased rapidly, promoting the movement of innovative startups in the agricultural and rural sectors.

Need more "pushes"

Although there have been methodical steps and many products have been recognized by the market, in order for OCOP to truly become a pillar in sustainable rural economic development and create momentum for local products, more synchronous and long-term support is still needed.

Mr. Ban Thanh Nghia, Phong Phin bamboo shoot and chili production facility, Ngan Son commune: Participating in the OCOP Program is an opportunity to build a brand and promote products. We hope to have more support mechanisms for sustainable product development, access to incentives in capital, technology, especially advice from professional agencies to expand scale and increase economic value"...

OCOP products of Thai Nguyen province are displayed and introduced at many fairs and exhibitions nationwide.

In reality, after being recognized as OCOP, not all entities have enough strength to maintain and develop their products. Most of the enterprises participating in OCOP are small and medium enterprises, especially in the northern communes, the core of which is still cooperatives. According to statistics from the Department of Cooperative Economics and Rural Development, the total number of entities with OCOP-recognized products is currently 333, of which cooperatives account for over 67%, enterprises about 9%, the rest are cooperatives, production and business establishments and business households.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoan, Director of Tai Hoan Cooperative, Con Minh Commune: "The current capacity of the Cooperative ensures the production of 2-3 tons of vermicelli/day, so we are looking for more partners and large distribution enterprises in potential markets. To maintain the position of 5-star OCOP products, the unit also expects to have more support from the province in terms of production infrastructure and export market orientation"...

A large market for strong and unique products is always the aspiration of farmers and small-scale industrialists in the province.

However, internal limitations prevent many cooperatives, production facilities, and individual households from expanding their raw material areas, upgrading their processing lines, or investing in packaging and labels. Lack of capital, business skills, and specialized human resources has caused many OCOP products to gradually “go silent” after being honored.

In order for OCOP to not stop at just a brand, this program needs to be seen as a comprehensive indigenous development strategy, creating a strong momentum for the rural economy.

In fact, building value, identifying brands and forming specialized directions from raw material areas and local strengths are opening up expectations in the process of restructuring the province's agricultural sector. When the support mechanism is strong enough, the infrastructure is good enough and the linkage is effectively promoted, OCOP will really help bring local products far and wide.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202508/de-ocop-khong-chi-la-thuong-hieu-e216db5/