Thanh Hoa ranked second nationwide for the quantity of OCOP products

DNHN - The One Commune One Product (OCOP) initiative, which has been in place for almost five years, has evolved into a province-wide production movement. After Hanoi, Thanh Hoa is currently ranked second in the country for the quantity of OCOP products.

The province of Thanh Hoa has 436 goods that are recognised as satisfying OCOP requirements as of November 2023. There are 379 three-star products, 56 four-star products, and 1 five-star product out of these.

This accomplishment is primarily attributable to the province's training and promotion of OCOP programmes. The Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee has instructed media outlets to concentrate on creating specialised sections, news, articles, and reports to widely publicise the OCOP programme since the program's launch.

This has aided in the understanding of the goal, significance, importance, content, and methods of execution of the OCOP programme at all levels, sectors, localities, and private economic components in the province.

Over 7,300 people have received training from the province since its inception. These individuals include leaders and specialists from departments, sectors, associations, and unions at all levels, as well as businesses, cooperatives, organisations, and OCOP programme participants.

A resolution on policies for agricultural, rural, and farmer development, which includes measures to assist the growth of OCOP goods, has also been released by the province of Thanh Hoa. To facilitate the implementation of the OCOP programme, numerous towns, districts, and cities have also created procedures and guidelines. For example, they have integrated funding sources to support production development under the National Target Programme for New Rural Development, which in turn supports the development of OCOP products.

Departments, sectors, and localities have concentrated on and paid attention to the promotion and trade promotion to support and 'pave the way' for the development of recognised OCOP products, according to Mr Bui Cong Anh, Deputy Head of the Office for Coordinating the New Rural Development Programme in Thanh Hoa Province. Consumers and the market have shown interest in and attention to many trade shows and exhibitions; examples include the OCOP product displays at Co.opMart grocery, Sao Mai Hotel, and Sam Son Beach during the Sam Son summer opening.

Through promotional activities, many OCOP products have expanded their domestic and international markets, such as Le Gia shrimp paste and fish sauce (Hoang Hoa) have been exported to Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, and South Africa; handicrafts and sedge products of Viet Anh Export-Import Sedge Production and Processing Joint Stock Company, Viet Trang Company Limited (Nga Son) are directly exported and sold in supermarkets in the United States; High-class bamboo relaxation chairs of BambooVina Production and Trading Company Limited (Ha Trung) have been exported to European markets; canned pineapple and canned sweet corn of Trung Thanh Agricultural Products Processing Joint Stock Company (Nong Cong) have been exported to Middle Eastern countries, Russia, Europe...

Products from the coastal region of Hoang Phu commune, Hoang Hoa district, are commonly known as fish sauce, prawn paste and sour fish sauce. This is a traditional craft from the area, and it has been manufacturing fish sauce for hundreds of years. Le Gia fish sauce is a speciality product created using premium fish, including anchovies and mackerel, utilising age-old techniques and local knowledge of long-standing processing secrets.

The product "Le Gia Shrimp Paste" from Le Gia Food and Trading Services Limited Liability Company, Hoang Phu commune, Hoang Hoa district, was recognised as a 5-star OCOP product in Thanh Hoa province, according to the results of the evaluation and classification of products of the One Commune One Product Programme at the national level in 2020.

Many were startled to learn that Mr Le Van Truong, who was born in 1989, had successfully raised Cordyceps sinensis. Cordyceps sinensis is regarded as a valuable medicinal herb with numerous health benefits. This kind of fungus parasitizes insects in cold, high-alpine regions all year long.

"Cultivating Cordyceps sinensis is a difficult technique," stated Mr Truong. It is challenging since this kind of plant typically inhabits year-round frigid plateaus, making it challenging to maintain the proper nutrients, temperature, and parasite organisms. Each step needs to be handled with great care. I travelled to Lai Chau for a long period to gain knowledge and experience. I'm reading, growing, and learning more about Cordyceps sinensis right now."

Swiftlets were successfully grown by Mr Nguyen Van Tu of Hung Loc commune in Hau Loc district (Thanh Hoa), and he processed numerous high-quality products from bird's nests. As of right now, the Yen Sao Xu Thanh brand is available internationally and has earned a 4-star OCOP rating.

When the One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme was introduced in Thanh Hoa province in 2018, Nguyen Van Tu became aware of its advantages and decided to take the initiative to upgrade his machinery system, conduct research, and produce high-quality products with exquisite designs, guaranteeing that OCOP products would meet the required standards. Engaging in the OCOP programme will serve as the basis for the business to make significant investments in product quality, boost competitiveness, and expand into foreign markets.

According to Mr Tu, the OCOP project has permeated both his mind and the subconscious of rural residents generally. Considering that a lot of items that had been "forgotten" in the communities for a long time have now "awakened" It must pass a stringent inspection procedure to be certified as an OCOP product. These inspections have also helped Yen Sao Xu Thanh Enterprise expand. OCOP is also the source of the innovative business culture and modern business philosophy.

The national target programme of One Commune One Product not only develops the economy but also fosters a fair, transparent, and healthy competition among producers, encourages the community to take advantage of local specialities, and upholds and promotes the benefits of traditional industries, products, and craft villages.

Minh Hien