Focus on Expanding Market Connections for OCOP Products

​(News Portal – Dong Nai) - On the afternoon of November 11, a working delegation from the Provincial Steering Committee for the "Vietnamese Prioritize Vietnamese Goods" campaign (Steering Committee 264), led by Mr. Cao Van Quang, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai Province, conducted a survey and meeting regarding several OCOP (One Commune One Product) items in Vinh Cuu District. ​

The meeting with Vinh Cuu District, chaired by Mr. Cao Van Quang, took place at the People's Committee of Tan Binh Commune. 

To date, Vinh Cuu District has 17 OCOP products, including 4 with a 4-star rating and 13 with a 3-star rating. Numerous trade promotion programs for OCOP products have been implemented. Specifically, the district has supported cooperatives and OCOP stakeholders in building production and consumption chains for citrus fruits and developing OCOP products such as green-skinned pomelo and orange-leafed pomelo, establishing codes for export growing regions, and connecting with companies involved in fruit trading and export.

OCOP stakeholders have received support to participate in exhibitions and promotional activities to introduce their products. Assistance has also been provided to households, cooperatives, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in implementing solutions aimed at fostering linkages in production and product consumption, with the goal of developing the rural economy and increasing household income. Additionally, OCOP stakeholders have been supported in promoting their products on e-commerce platforms to boost marketing and sales.​

However, challenges remain. Some OCOP stakeholders have not invested sufficiently in product design and packaging to enhance brand recognition and meet production standards required for promoting and introducing products. Furthermore, there are no specific policies to directly support OCOP stakeholders in developing certified products, such as funding for processing and packaging equipment or policies to improve management and business administration skills. The district has also struggled to attract investors to participate in agricultural production and product consumption, particularly OCOP products. 

During the visit, Mr. Cao Van Quang was introduced to the OCOP product "Banh chung" (traditional square rice cake) at Tran Gia Banh Chung facility in Tan Binh Commune, Vinh Cuu District. 

Local authorities have called for policies to support the development of urban agriculture and high-tech agriculture. They also suggested additional support for OCOP stakeholders to develop and upgrade their products through policies that facilitate the purchase of machinery and equipment for preliminary processing, value-added processing, and deep processing. Furthermore, it is recommended to organize more promotional activities and trade connections, creating favorable conditions for OCOP stakeholders to introduce and market their products. Emphasis should also be placed on improving production management and business administration skills for OCOP stakeholders.

Mr. Cao Van Quang praised the district's Steering Committee 264 for its strong leadership and implementation of the "Vietnamese Prioritize Vietnamese Goods" campaign. He noted that the communication efforts have been enhanced through various dynamic and engaging methods. However, the number of OCOP products remains limited and does not fully reflect the potential of the local area. The products are still concentrated in a few localities and fields, with relatively few participants. He urged local authorities to conduct a more thorough evaluation of the program and to pay greater attention to leadership. In addition, there is a need to ramp up trade promotion activities and expand the marketing of OCOP products across various channels, especially e-commerce platforms. 

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During the trip, Mr. Cao Van Quang also visited a safe pomelo garden in Binh Hoa Commune, Vinh Cuu District.

Moving forward, the district and provincial Steering Committee 264 will continue to enhance their leadership and guidance efforts, as well as increase support policies for OCOP stakeholders. This includes expanding training programs to improve management capacity and expertise related to the OCOP program. The local authorities are also advised to further support the development of additional OCOP groups and increase the number of unique products produced on a large scale to meet the standards of major commercial centers and become tourist products. It is a reality that the range of products participating in the connection programs remains limited, and there is a need to strengthen efforts in connecting businesses with OCOP products in various localities.​