Although the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program has achieved remarkable results, there are still issues that need to be resolved for future success. Hanoimoi Newspaper received recommendations from government and business representatives across the city on how to overcome these challenges.

Hanoi's leaders visit a booth showcasing Phu Xuyen District's OCOP products at a recent trade fair. Photo: Cong Tam/The Hanoi Times

Le Tien Xuan, Head of the Economic Division of Phu Xuyen District: the need for financial support for assessing and ranking OCOP products

The district's more than 250 products have been evaluated and ranked under the OCOP program, which is a remarkable achievement. However, many products only received three to four stars and are mainly small-scale handicrafts.

The district relies heavily on raw materials from outside the city, and without support to reduce this dependence, the program's potential remains untapped. Despite many distinctive traditional villages and agricultural products, local production is largely spontaneous and fragmented. Key local products have not been branded and most are sold in raw form, limiting their value.

The district's budget only covers initial OCOP certification assessments, leaving some manufacturers struggling to fund reassessments when their certification expires.

In addition, many stakeholders do not fully understand the benefits of developing products to OCOP standards.

Phu Xuyen is seeking support from the city and relevant departments to fund initial and annual re-evaluations of OCOP products, as well as assistance in marketing and finding markets for local agricultural products, especially those already certified as OCOP.

Trinh Kim Thu, General Director of MD Queens Joint Stock Company: numerous benefits of participating in the OCOP program

Trinh Kim Thu, General Manager of MD Queens Joint Stock Company

The company submitted its MD Queens Black Tea for OCOP star rating and received a four-star OCOP certification.

The city government and local authorities have been supportive in terms of product promotion and marketing. Participation in government-sponsored trade promotion programs and business networking events has also increased the product's visibility among consumers.

In addition, the company has benefited from opportunities to showcase its products in OCOP showrooms, which has helped build its reputation with customers.

However, most OCOP members, like us, are small businesses, cooperatives, or family-owned companies that often lack knowledge of the OCOP ranking process. If they had to prepare their dossiers on their own, it would be time-consuming. We hope the city will continue offering assistance through consulting services to guide businesses in the evaluation and ranking process.

We also expect the city to establish more local OCOP sales outlets and increase communication efforts to raise awareness and confidence in these products among residents.

Dinh Thi Luyen, Deputy Director of the Van Duc Agricultural Service Cooperative in Gia Lam District: The need to re-evaluate products with expired certification

Dinh Thi Luyen, Deputy Director of the Van Duc Agricultural Service Cooperative in Gia Lam District. Photo: Hanoimoi Newspaper

Van Duc covers a large area along the Red River, making it an important vegetable-growing area for the city. The commune has 285 hectares of agricultural land, of which nearly 200 hectares are dedicated to vegetable production. Annually, the Van Duc vegetable area supplies nearly 35,000 tons of greens to supermarkets and wholesale markets.

To increase the value of production, the cooperative began participating in the OCOP program in 2019 and successfully had its 17 products certified. Since joining the program, the cooperative has found it easier to access distribution channels such as supermarkets and collective dining services, resulting in higher prices compared to wholesale markets.

By regulation, OCOP certifications are valid for 36 months from the date of issuance. As a result, the cooperative is preparing to reassess its expired products in 2024.

Following the guidelines, we will select our vegetables for evaluation according to categories such as leafy greens (water spinach, mustard greens, amaranth), fruit vegetables (squash, pumpkins, beans), root vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes, radishes), and brassicas (including cabbage and corn).

Tran Thi Van Anh, Director of Song Da Kinh Bac Joint Stock Company: The importance of helping members perfect their products.

Tran Thi Van Anh, Director of Song Da Kinh Bac Joint Stock Company. Photo: Hanoimoi Newspaper

With extensive experience in advising on over 2,000 OCOP products nationwide, with ratings ranging from three to five stars, Hanoi's 2021-2025 OCOP program has attracted significant attention from the city and its districts.

The city has worked with consulting firms to help members complete their product assessment dossiers and guide them through essential business procedures such as business registration, food safety certification, and compliance with packaging and labeling regulations. 

Hanoi is actively promoting trade by organizing events, fairs and workshops to connect businesses and stimulate demand for OCOP products.

In addition, the capital is focused on developing commodity regions and establishing organic and circular agriculture models to improve the quality and value of key local products linked to the OCOP program.

As a consulting firm, we have helped OCOP members improve their documentation by emphasizing the importance of branding and intellectual property registration. We also assist with livestream sales and e-commerce platform trading.

To achieve greater success with the OCOP program, members must actively focus on production organization, raw material development, and sustainable value chain creation for OCOP products.

Local governments should continue to bolster IP training and workshops for OCOP participants. We recommend that the City increase the role of intellectual property experts on the OCOP Provincial Product Evaluation Councils. 

In addition, local governments need to support businesses, cooperatives and family enterprises to capitalize on community branding, including geographical indications and collective trademarks.