Agricultural products of the Chúc Sơn Comprehensive Agricultural Cooperative, Chương Mỹ District. — VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Recently, the "One Commune One Product" Program (OCOP) has increased the value of agricultural products, creating many quality products that are typical of Hanoi city. Many OCOP products have been affirming their brand and quality, meeting the needs of domestic consumers and initially reaching out to foreign markets.

When talking about delicious Vietnamese rice, we cannot help but mention Đồng Phú organic rice (Chương Mỹ District). This is the capital's first rice product that is highly appreciated by experts and consumers for its clean and safe rice quality. Currently, Đồng Phú organic rice is not only trusted and chosen by Vietnamese people but also exported to many countries, aiming to conquer the US market. Recently, Đồng Phú organic rice was certified by Hà Nội City as a 4-star OCOP product.

Coming to Phú Vinh craft village, Phú Nghĩa commune (Chương Mỹ District), elite artisan Nguyễn Văn Tĩnh - who directly makes bamboo and rattan products such as: rattan jars, rattan baskets, bamboo flower vases... meeting standards of 4-star OCOP said: “From the relationships established in exhibitions and displays of handicraft products organized by the New Rural Coordination Office of Hà Nội city, my family quickly received many orders from countries with developed handicraft industries such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand...".

Elite artisan Nguyễn Văn Tĩnh produces bamboo and rattan products that meet OCOP standards.

Chúc Sơn clean fruit and vegetable cooperative in Chúc Sơn Town (Chương Mỹ District) in 2023 has a melon product recognized by Hanoi city as a 4-star OCOP product. Over the past time, with many practical and effective forms of association, cooperatives have cooperated with farmer households and businesses to produce agricultural products according to the needs of domestic and foreign markets. The chain link model in agriculture of Chúc Sơn Clean Fruit and Vegetable Cooperative is a sustainable direction, contributing to improve production efficiency and income for farmers, cooperatives and businesses.

Since 2019, the district has had 178 products from 37 entities rated three stars or higher, making it the leading district in Hà Nội for OCOP implementation. To ensure the programme's success, the district annually issues plans and has established an evaluation council to assess and rank products.

Nguyễn Văn Cường, Deputy Head of the Economic Division of Chương Mỹ District, said that the district consistently encourages and facilitates units and establishments to participate in the OCOP programme.

Since 2019, Chương Mỹ has allocated funds to assist 183 entities in completing dossiers for product evaluation and ranking.

Additionally, the district has supported entities in affixing traceability stamps, improving product designs and quality and participating in fairs, seminars and trade promotion activities.

Chương Mỹ District holds a conference to evaluate and rank OCOP products for 2023. — VNS Photo

Chương Mỹ District has also partnered with the Hà Nội Office of New Rural Programme Coordination to exchange experiences for district and commune-level management staff and entities with potential products, clearly demonstrating the role of the OCOP programme.

The district has reviewed and evaluated agricultural and non-agricultural products to build a database, laying the foundation for developing OCOP products.

Simultaneously, the district has focused on developing, upgrading and perfecting products that have been evaluated and awarded three stars or higher by the Hà Nội People's Committee, aiming for these products to achieve four- to five-star ratings.

Director of Mây Việt Co Ltd in Phú Vinh village, Phú Nghĩa commune, Hoàng Văn Hạnh said: "Our company has had ten products recognised with four-star OCOP ratings, which has helped expand the market and elevate the Phú Vinh bamboo and rattan brand. Currently, our products are exported to many countries and are well-received internationally. In 2023, the company continued to participate in the evaluation of two new products, a rattan tea table and a deep rattan tray."

Products from Chương Mỹ District. In 2024, Chương Mỹ District aims to have approximately 20-30 OCOP products evaluated and certified with a rating of three stars or higher. — VNS Photo

Since 2019, through the comprehensive implementation of tasks and solutions in the OCOP programme, the district has seen 21 communes and towns with OCOP products, resulting in 178 products from 37 entities, all rated three stars or higher. In 2023 alone, the district evaluated and ranked 40 products, with 26 receiving three-star ratings and 12 receiving four-star ratings.

According to the Hà Nội New Rural programme Coordination Office, Chương Mỹ currently leads the city in implementing the OCOP programme.

In 2024, Chương Mỹ will assess and rank 55 products from 26 entities across 22 communes and towns are registered, including food and handicrafts. Of these, 37 products are being evaluated for the first time, while 18 are undergoing re-evaluation. Evaluations will be conducted in two phases: 25 products in late August and 30 in November. The district aims to certify 20 to 30 products with three stars or higher and will also review and re-rank products with expired certifications.

Cordyceps products from Chương Mỹ District are on display. — VNS Photo

Additionally, the quality of products that have participated in the OCOP programme and received three-star or higher certifications will be enhanced. All entities will receive training on OCOP, and all OCOP products will take part in events for display, introduction, promotion, and networking.

Nguyễn Văn Chí, Deputy Chief of the Hà Nội Office of New Rural Programme Coordination, said: “To further increase product value, expand markets, and boost profits for OCOP participants, Hà Nội and districts like Chương Mỹ are organising various promotional activities. We are creating optimal conditions for entities to engage in trade promotion through fairs and trade weeks.

“We will continuously support these entities in market expansion, strengthen quality control of OCOP products, ensure transparency for consumers, and work towards making OCOP a prominent brand. Our goal is to affirm its market reputation and meet the demand for safe agricultural products and food both domestically and internationally.” — VNS

* The article is published under the coordination of the Coordination Office of the New-Style Rural Development Programme in Hà Nội.