Some localities are facing difficulties in selecting OCOP products.

Increase people's income.

Nam Anh CommuneThis is a famous fertile land area in Nam Dan district. It is blessed with a cool climate and rich, fertile soil. Taking advantage of these advantages, the commune has a very diverse and abundant crop structure with many types of vegetables, fruit trees, medicinal plants, etc.

Dai Hue Green Agriculture Cooperative, Nam Anh commune, Nam Dan district, packages products for market distribution. Photo: Quang An

Implementing the One Commune One Product program, Nam Anh commune has mobilized and encouraged cooperatives and households to participate in developing distinctive local products, achieving many successes. To date, the entire commune has 11 OCOP products, ranking among the top in the district, with high-quality products that are well-received by the market.

The Dai Hue Green Agriculture Cooperative in Nam Anh commune has 8 members. Previously, the members engaged in simple, individual agricultural production with low economic value. However, through the OCOP program, the members have linked up to produce together and jointly connect with consumers. With systematic investment and dedication, the cooperative now has 7 products that have achieved OCOP 3-star certification.

Mr. Tran Dinh Son, Director of Dai Hue Green Cooperative, said: "The OCOP program has motivated us to invest in machinery and manpower, producing products that meet the required standards for the market. Since our products received OCOP certification, sales have been assured as many customers from various provinces and cities have contacted us, and the income of our members has also increased. Currently, in addition to the readily available cassava starch in the area, we have to import additional raw materials from other localities to meet customer demand. Furthermore, the cooperative also has to hire additional laborers to ensure production progress."

OCOP products in Nam Anh commune are diverse and abundant. Photo: Quang An

Dien Ngoc commune is a locality with a strong advantage in seafood fishing in Dien Chau district, with peeled shrimp being a signature product. In 2021, peeled shrimp was recognized as a 3-star OCOP product, significantly increasing its value.

Mr. Le Minh Tuan, representative of the peeled shrimp production group in the commune, said: "Since being recognized as an OCOP product, our peeled shrimp have been contacted and ordered by several supermarkets and restaurants. The number of customers is not only within the province but has expanded to many other provinces and cities, and the price has also increased compared to before the recognition. This is also a motivation for us to strive to meet market demand. While before we only produced 1.5 - 2 tons/month due to concerns about guaranteed sales, now we produce an average of 2 - 3 tons of peeled shrimp per month, and they are all sold quite well."

Peeled shrimp is the only OCOP (One Commune One Product) product in Dien Ngoc commune, Dien Chau district. Photo: Quang An

Since the beginning of the year, Nghe An province has implemented the "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) program under challenging conditions, including disease outbreaks and adverse weather. However, localities, cooperatives, and production households have made efforts to overcome these difficulties and achieved remarkable results.

Struggling to find OCOP products

In reality, while some localities have natural advantages, abundant crops and livestock, or established production groups and traditional craft villages, making it easy to select OCOP products, many other localities are still struggling to find their own distinctive products.

Nghe An's OCOP products are popular in the market. Photo: Quang An

Nghi Quang commune registered to achieve advanced new rural area status in Nghi Loc district in 2022, which requires having one OCOP product; however, to date, the locality has still been unable to identify its product.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thanh, Chairman of the Nghi Quang Commune People's Committee, said: "The people in the commune mainly engage in simple agricultural production, without any outstanding products. Some agricultural land is lying fallow due to a lack of manpower, as children have gone to work elsewhere. Therefore, finding a product to develop into an OCOP product is very difficult."

Similarly, in Dien An commune, Dien Chau district, the locality has not yet identified any OCOP (One Commune One Product) products to focus on developing. The entire commune has over 300 hectares of agricultural land, including 120 hectares of rice paddies, and the rest is arable land with simple crops such as peanuts, corn, and beans... without any outstanding features. Regarding livestock, the commune has a strength in chicken farming, but it lacks a brand, and there is no linkage between farmers and consumers to expand and develop it into a distinctive product.

Leaders of Nghe An province introduce the province's OCOP products to foreign businesses. Photo: Quang An.

Discussing this issue, Mr. Nguyen Van Hang, Deputy Chief of the Provincial New Rural Development Coordination Office, said: "In communes that do not yet have products and those that register to achieve the target each year, we prioritize supporting resources to guide and select products, and implement models for development. In addition, relevant departments and districts need to strengthen propaganda and guidance to help people understand the role of the One Commune One Product program, thereby working together with the commune authorities to build sustainable OCOP products for their localities."