Ca Mau: Efforts to continuously bring OCOP products further

(VTC News) - After more than 3 years of implementing the OCOP Program, Ca Mau province has recognized 128 OCOP products, with revenue from the products increasing by 10-30%. Ca Mau province has a special geographical location with a harmonious combination of sea and forest, along with the interweaving of salty, fresh and brackish ecosystems, creating many types of products and specialties that are unique and characteristic, with many local traditional elements. The One Commune One Product Program (OCOP Program) was established to encourage rural production and business entities to exploit the potential of land and products, especially local traditional values, to enhance product value, increase income, and contribute to improving the material and spiritual life of people in the province. 128 OCOP products recognized After more than 3 years of implementing the OCOP Program, Ca Mau province recognized 128 OCOP products (06 products achieved 4 stars, 122 products achieved 3 stars). Of which, 113 products belong to the food industry (accounting for 88%); 08 products belong to the beverage industry (accounting for 7%); 04 products belong to the handicraft and decoration industry (accounting for 3%); 03 products belong to the fabric and garment industry (accounting for 2%). The total number of subjects participating in the program and recognized is 61 subjects (15 companies/enterprises, accounting for 24%; 26 cooperatives, accounting for 43%; 20 business households, accounting for 33%). Through the OCOP Program, the subjects gradually increase production scale, improve management organization model, continuously improve quality and standards, meet increasingly strict market requirements (international organic certification IFOAM, HACCP, apply processing technology, extend product preservation time at room temperature,...).

Tai Thinh Phat FARM Cooperative's OCOP products have invested more in design and packaging to increase their competitive advantage in the market. (Photo: VNA)

The OCOP program has spread strongly, deployed from the province to the commune, becoming one of the important solutions in rural economic development, associated with new rural construction. Especially in rural areas, where there are abundant raw materials and the availability of indigenous knowledge preserved and accumulated through many generations (salting crab, beekeeping, chopstick making, dried shrimp, etc.) helps to unleash the potential and advantages of localities to develop products, services, and rural industries. Revenue from recognized products increases by about 10-30%, creating jobs and stable income for rural workers, with salaries ranging from 3-5 million VND/month. There are still many difficulties to upgrade products . Besides the achieved results, the province's OCOP program still faces certain difficulties. Besides the subjects that have made breakthroughs and continuously improved the quality, there are still many subjects that have not focused on upgrading and enhancing the product level, only 6/128 products (4.7%) achieved 4 stars and there are no 5-star products. The upgrading criteria require focused investment, improved production processes, improved packaging designs, advanced quality management certification (HACCAP, ISO 22000:2018, VietGAP,...) and exceed the capacity of most subjects. Some products after OCOP recognition show unsustainable quality; supply output is not guaranteed due to seasonal production, and lack of investment in preservation equipment to ensure a stable supply of raw materials. In 2023, Ca Mau province was assigned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to host the "Mekong Delta OCOP Product Connection Forum", in a series of events including a contest for 4-star and 5-star OCOP products.

Vice Chairman of Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee Le Van Su (left) noted that OCOP entities need to register for trademark protection, packaging protection, and industrial designs. (Photo: VNA)

Faced with the above situation, to be worthy of the position and role of the host unit hosting the event, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau province Le Van Su directed departments, branches and organizations to actively participate, focusing on supporting OCOP entities with real potential to upgrade and enhance their products.

Bao Anh

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/ca-mau-no-luc-dua-cac-san-pham-ocop-khong-ngung-vuon-xa-ar834322.html