When OCOP products become "cultural ambassadors"

Two products of Bac Lieu refined salt and grain salt are recognized to meet 5-star OCOP standards.
For the first time, Ca Mau has 2 salt products achieving 5-star OCOP national level.
OCOP subjects are busy preparing for Ca Mau Crab Festival
OCOP product development: A breakthrough for cooperatives

OCOP - rural economic lever

Ca Mau is blessed by nature with many rich products, imbued with the flavor of the homeland such as U Minh forest honey, salted crab, dried snakehead fish, dried shrimp, shrimp crackers, banana wine... From rustic, handmade products, the OCOP program has helped each product "change its skin" and become more professional.

Dam Doi Ba Khia Cooperative affirms its brand with many OCOP products achieving 3 and 4 stars. (Photo: Mong Thuong)

With the support of the province and specialized sectors, many production facilities have been guided to improve designs, packaging, complete traceability records, ensure food hygiene and safety standards, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of products in the market.

After more than 7 years of implementation, Ca Mau currently has 343 products recognized as OCOP, including: 2 products with 5 stars, 75 products with 4 stars and 266 products with 3 stars; along with 27 points of introduction and sale of OCOP products. There are 104 products of 35 entities that have been included in the supermarket distribution system in and outside the province.

In particular, many Ca Mau products have reached international markets such as Australia, Korea, Japan, EU, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Canada. These results show that OCOP not only unleashes the existing potential of each region, but also creates new value chains, re-plans raw material areas, and restores and develops rural industries.

Not only does it bring economic value, the OCOP program also brings sustainable livelihoods to rural people. Dozens of cooperatives and cooperative groups have been formed around OCOP products, creating jobs for hundreds of local workers.

Ms. Tran Thi Xa, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Ba Khia Dam Doi Cooperative, shared: “The establishment and development of OCOP products has greatly contributed to enhancing the value of local products and specialties. The Cooperative currently has 6 products recognized as OCOP products, of which 1 product has achieved 3 stars and 5 products have achieved 4 stars. When recognized as OCOP products, the products are affirmed in terms of origin, location and are more trusted by consumers. From there, it helps the products reach the markets in and outside the province and even abroad.”

OCOP products are displayed at many fairs and exhibition areas, contributing to promoting Ca Mau province's products.

Promote local tourism

The most prominent and profound point of the OCOP program is the ability to connect indigenous knowledge with modern life, turning traditional values into vibrant cultural products. Many OCOP products, especially traditional crafts recognized as intangible cultural heritage such as salted crabs and wild honey, have gone beyond the role of ordinary goods to become "cultural ambassadors", bringing stories about the land, forests, seas and people of Ca Mau to friends everywhere.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thuy, Vice President of the Provincial Women's Union, said: "OCOP products have helped many rural women have jobs, increase their income, and confidently start their own businesses from traditional occupations, thereby affirming the position and role of women in social life."

Implementing Decision No. 922 dated August 2, 2022 of the Prime Minister on the Rural Tourism Development Program in the New Rural Development period 2021-2025, Ca Mau has achieved many outstanding results. A series of community tourism areas, spots, and OCOP product introduction and sales points have been established and operated effectively, contributing to promoting local tourism development.

Clam raking experience service in Dat Mui.

According to statistics, except for the period affected by the Covid-19 pandemic (2020-2022), Ca Mau tourism grew by an average of 12.15%/year. Types of agricultural tourism, eco-tourism, community tourism associated with indigenous cultural experiences such as catching crabs, catching three-sided crabs, raking clams, riding a sampan... attract a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. Community-based eco-tourism models not only create livelihoods, but also contribute to forest protection, environmental preservation, green economic development and sustainable poverty reduction.

It can be affirmed that agricultural and rural tourism is becoming a suitable and effective direction in Ca Mau. This is also a solution to promote on-site export of agricultural products and craft villages, while stimulating production and consumption in many other fields.

Ca Mau province is promoting the development of community tourism associated with OCOP products, considering this a strategic direction to retain tourists and increase local spending, while increasing income and improving the lives of rural people. At the same time, the locality also actively organizes Ca Mau Specialty Week in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and builds OCOP booths at tourist destinations to promote the brand and expand the consumption market.

From the rustic specialties of U Minh forest to the rich flavor of the ocean, Ca Mau OCOP products are increasingly asserting their position in the market, becoming a bright spot in rural economic development. More than economic value, each product, from the crab, dried shrimp to salt grains, carries within it the story of the land, forest and sea, of the hardworking, creative people who are day by day bringing Ca Mau to a new level, sustainable integration and rich identity.

Ha Giang

Source: https://baocamau.vn/khi-san-pham-ocop-lam-dai-su-van-hoa--a122969.html