Dong Thap: Enhancing lotus brand with intellectual property tools

CDL AND NHCN CREATION PROCESS

The lotus is not only closely associated with the people of Dong Thap, but also carries with it unique economic potential and cultural values. Recognizing the role of this specialty plant, Dong Thap province has prioritized many solutions to enhance the brand and build a sustainable value chain for lotus products.

In particular, exploiting IP tools to shape and protect brands is considered a strategic step, creating an important foundation to help Dong Thap lotus affirm its position in domestic and foreign markets.

From that orientation, the Provincial People's Committee approved the Provincial Science and Technology Project "Registering and establishing industrial property rights for "Dong Thap" geographical indications for lotus products". The project is managed by the Department of Science and Technology and assigned to the Center for Technology Research and Intellectual Property CIPTEK (Ho Chi Minh City) to preside over and implement.

Implementation period from November 2021. After nearly 4 years of implementation, up to now, the Project has achieved important results, especially when the National Office of Intellectual Property - Ministry of Science and Technology has successively issued the Certificate of Registration of Geographical Indication No. 00145 for the "Dong Thap" Geographical Indication for fresh lotus seeds (silk lotus), fresh lotus flowers, fresh lotus leaves, fresh lotus roots and the Certificate of Trademark Registration No. 561803 for NHCN "Dong Thap Lotus" for the logo (symbol) of the Geographical Indication.

To achieve this result, the Department of Science and Technology has coordinated with CIPTEK Center to conduct a comprehensive study on the lotus value chain of the province, clarifying the characteristics of quality, specific properties and reputation of Dong Thap lotus, as well as the relationship with the local endemic natural conditions, thereby proving that the product fully meets the criteria for geographical indication protection under the law on intellectual property.

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND QUALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS OF DONG THAP LOTUS

Dong Thap lotus has long been famous for its unique morphological characteristics and nutritional value, creating a difference compared to lotus products from other regions. Research within the framework of the Project shows that lotus seeds, lotus roots and fresh lotus leaves have high nutritional content, reflecting their value as an ideal raw material for processing a variety of lotus foods.

In addition, the long-standing farming experience of farmers here plays an important role in maintaining the quality of lotus. Farmers maintain their practices and establish strict care processes: replanting after each harvest; applying lime to improve the soil to overcome the disadvantages of self-degeneration of the variety, limiting fungal diseases to help create consistent product quality, ensuring stability and traceability.

It is the harmonious combination of mild natural conditions, little temperature difference between day and night and typical farming practices here that brings about the sensory quality and nutritional value of this special agricultural product.

BUILDING A SYSTEM OF TOOLS TO MANAGE AND PROMOTE PRODUCTS WITH GIC

In parallel with conducting research activities to determine the scientific and legal basis for Dong Thap lotus products to meet the strict protection conditions under the IP law on geographical indications, CIPTEK Center has also developed a logo (symbol) for this geographical indication. Through the process of developing ideas and collecting comments from agencies, organizations and the production and trading community in the province, this logo has been officially approved and an application for protection has been submitted to the Department of Intellectual Property in the form of a national trademark.

Logo (symbol) of CDL "Dong Thap" for lotus products.

Not only stopping at being granted a Certificate of Geographical Inclusion, the Project also created a model of systematic management and exploitation of Geographical Inclusion for Dong Thap lotus products. Through a system of management tools and training programs, managers, cooperatives and lotus production and trading households have been equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to use Geographical Inclusion effectively. This not only helps improve the capacity of quality management and product traceability, but also creates a premise for Dong Thap lotus to increase value and build a sustainable chain in the market.

TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRAND "SEN DONG THAP"

The fact that Dong Thap lotus products are protected by geographical indications and national trademarks is not only the result of a systematic scientific research process, but also opens up opportunities for sustainable development for the province's lotus industry. From this legal foundation, Dong Thap has the conditions to consolidate the lotus value chain in a modern and integrated direction: from production - processing - consumption to brand promotion; gradually affirming the position of the Land of Pink Lotus on the map of Vietnamese agricultural products and reaching out to the international market.

LIGHTHOUSE

Source: https://baoapbac.vn/xa-hoi/202508/dong-thap-nang-tam-thuong-hieu-sen-bang-cong-cu-so-huu-tri-tue-1047839/