Enhancing Quality and Competitiveness of OCOP Products

Over the past four years, Hanoi has implemented its One Commune One Product (OCOP) Program to create many locally distinctive product areas, transform unbranded products into branded ones, and maintain its leadership not only in quantity but also in competitive quality in today’s market.

Grapefruits from Dien village, Hanoi have a superior flavor and aroma compared to those from other regions

According to data from the Hanoi Coordination Office for New Rural Development Program in 2022, Hanoi City had 518 OCOP products certified 3-star class or higher made by 19 producers. Among them, the only likely 5-star OCOP product was freeze-dried cordyceps of Thien Phuc Herbal Joint Stock Company in Phu Nam An commune (Chuong My district). Besides, 271 products were recognized as 4-star and 246 products were classified as 3-star.

To improve product quality and competitiveness, all levels and branches of authority and localities have focused on supporting producers to join the OCOP Program with specific solutions like consulting on upgrading and completing products according to given quality standards; managing and monitoring quality standards; and support training, technical guidance, branding, trade promotion and product advertising.

Mr. Nguyen Van Chi, Deputy Director of the Standing Board of the Hanoi Coordination Office for New Rural Development Program, said that right from the first stage of carrying out the OCOP Program, Hanoi advocated not chasing after how many products are made and sold. Therefore, the valuation and classification is strictly performed by the Hanoi OCOP Council to ensure objectivity and fairness. “Members of the Hanoi OCOP Council come from different agencies in the city, closely follow the criteria in Decision 1048/QD-TTg and Decision 781/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister as well as operating regulations of the Hanoi OCOP Council to make sure that the star-rated products are worthy,” he added.

After a thorough appraisal process, the Hanoi People’s Committee recently approved the results of the OCOP product evaluation and classification in 2022. As a result, 518 OCOP products made by 191 producers were certified 3-star class or higher by the city.

Since the launch of the OCOP Program by the Government, Hanoi has appraised and certified a total of 2,167 OCOP products. This includes four 5-star products, two products likely to be certified by the central government, 12 five-star products submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for consideration and classification; 1,369 four-star products and 780 three-star products.

Notably, Hanoi developed two 4-star OCOP products in the category of community tourism services and tourist attractions for the first time in many years. These are Green Park tourist site (Gia Lam district) and Hong Van tourist service site (Thuong Tin district). This is a new step in Hanoi’s efforts to diversify OCOP products.

While the rate of 4-star class accounts for 32% of the total OCOP products in the country, Hanoi’s rate is 62%, meaning that the city’s program not only focuses on quantity but also on quality. Notably, not only do rural districts develop OCOP products but urban districts are also very strong in this. In order to enhance the sustainability of the OCOP Program, Hanoi needs to support upgrading 3-star items to 4-star and 4-star to 5-star.

Ms. Dinh Thi Tu Anh, owner of Phuong Soat Company (Chuong Duong, Hoan Kiem district), said that the Hanoi OCOP Council conducts a very strict and rigorous assessment of their three products: round sesame biscuits, spider egg-shaped biscuits and Sampa cakes. They are certified as 3-star OCOP products by the Hanoi People’s Committee.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dai, Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that in the first stage, the city advocated encouraging all economic sectors to take part in the OCOP Program. However, to enhance competitiveness and brand OCOP products, from 2023, the city will focus on developing handicrafts, highly processed products and local specialties.

To develop the OCOP program sustainably, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen said that the city will focus on carrying out three groups of consistent solutions: Supporting producers to diversify products; promoting trade connections and expanding consumption markets; and strictly managing and further improving the quality of OCOP products.

In particular, Hanoi will enhance the quality control of OCOP products, product information transparency, develop strong OCOP brands, assert their prestige in the market and satisfy the demand for safe agricultural products and food for citizens. In the coming time, Hanoi plans to develop the first OCOP booth in the international market, particularly in Europe. OCOP development linked with tourism development in craft villages will also be further promoted and developed by Hanoi so as to introduce its products to international friends.

By Ngoc Dan, Vietnam Business Forum