The OCOP Program Reaches New Heights

​(News Portal – Dong Nai) - In 2024, the province added 94 new products meeting OCOP (One Commune, One Product) standards. Among these, 79 products were awarded OCOP 3-star certification, achieving 247% of the set target, while 15 products received OCOP 4-star certification, achieving 150% of the target. 

Visitors exploring the OCOP product display area at the ceremony to announce the recognition of OCOP products in Dong Nai for 2024. 

To date, the province has 282 products from 165 entities are OCOP certified. Notably, nine potential OCOP 5-star national-level products are currently under review for certification. This highlights that Dong Nai's OCOP program has not only experienced rapid growth in the number of certified products but has also significantly elevated the program's quality.
Leading the Southeastern Region in OCOP Products

In 2019, the Provincial People's Committee organized the OCOP Program Conference with the goal of developing over 10 OCOP products for the 2019-2020 period. By 2020, the province had already achieved dozens of recognized OCOP products, a number that has since grown to hundreds. The number of OCOP products in the province has steadily increased year by year. Currently, Dong Nai boasts 282 products from 165 entities certified under the OCOP program, including nine potential national-level 5-star products under review for certification.

Dong Nai now leads the Southeastern region in the number of OCOP products. Particularly impressive is the way localities in the province have leveraged their agricultural strengths, with active participation from cooperatives (HTX) in producing OCOP products. As a result, many of the province's strong agricultural products have achieved OCOP certification.

Among these, Xuan Loc District is a standout locality effectively implementing the OCOP program. To date, the district has produced numerous certified agricultural products, such as durians from the Xuan Dinh Agricultural Service Trading Cooperative, rambutans from the Bao Hoa Agricultural Service Trading Cooperative, green mangoes from the Suoi Lon Agricultural Service Trading and Tourism Cooperative, curly lettuce from the Loc Tien Safe Vegetable Cooperative, and black pepper from the Xuan Tho Pepper Cooperative.

According to Mr. Le Kim Bang, Secretary of Xuan Loc District Party Committee, the district is striving to achieve more 4- and 5-star OCOP-certified products. The OCOP program has truly transformed the mindset of local residents from traditional, small-scale production to market-oriented economic production. This change has encouraged producers to innovate and be creative in agriculture and rural development. Many OCOP products are not only visually appealing and of high quality but also meet state regulations for production standards. These products are now distributed in local markets and nationwide, including major supermarket chains, contributing to the gradual development of the rural economy.

Under the Dong Nai OCOP Program Implementation Plan through 2025, the province aims to achieve an additional 88 OCOP products rated 3 stars or higher. This includes three products achieving OCOP 5-star status and the enhancement of at least 20% of existing certified products. The province has outlined a set of solutions, including focusing on production organization linked to planning and developing specialized local raw material areas, conducting promotional activities, and providing guidance on OCOP program implementation. Notably, the plan emphasizes standardizing processes, ensuring compliance with regulations, and developing OCOP products along the value chain to align with production advantages and market demands.

Building Agricultural Product Brands

What is particularly notable is that the majority of entities producing OCOP products are cooperatives and collaborative groups, in addition to businesses. By participating in the OCOP program, farmers, collaborative groups, and cooperatives have gradually shifted their focus to creating compelling product stories. Beyond production, OCOP entities are increasingly investing in packaging, design, branding, and marketing to develop and expand their product markets.

Mr. Truong Van My, Director of the Suoi Cat Cocoa Agricultural Service Cooperative (Xuan Loc District), shared that the cooperative has established a production, processing, and consumption chain for cocoa, spanning over 100 hectares and involving 100 farming households. The cooperative has signed agreements with international companies to secure output for farmers. Currently, the cooperative has two processed products certified as OCOP: pure cocoa powder and milk chocolate. Additionally, the cooperative has developed the “Thanh Y Cocoa" brand. Beyond deep processing to meet market demand, the cooperative combines sustainable organic agriculture with experiential tourism to promote its brand and increase consumer recognition. As a result, the cooperative was honored by the Asian Research Institute with the “Top 10 Outstanding Asian Brands" award in 2024.

Similarly, Mr. Hieu Le, Deputy Director of Nga Bien Cashew Company (Xuan Loc District), noted that the company previously focused on exporting raw cashew nuts. In recent years, it has invested in deep processing and now offers over 20 processed cashew products to the market. The company has also prioritized building its brand and currently has eight products certified as OCOP 3-star. The company is in the process of completing documentation to upgrade several products to OCOP 5-star status.

From 2020 to now, the province has seen nearly 5,000 trademark registration applications, with close to 3,000 trademarks granted protection certificates by the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam. Many of these trademarks belong to agricultural products and specialties from localities. Specifically, as per Decision No. 837/QD-UBND of the Provincial People's Committee, the province has supported 255 entities in registering trademarks, including 95 trademarks in the agricultural sector, such as Phu Ly Mango (Vinh Cuu District), Xuan Dinh Durian, Bao Hoa Rambutan (Xuan Loc District), Ba Dau Green Grapefruit (Trang Bom District), and processed lotus products from the Truong Phat Agricultural Service Cooperative (Nhon Trach District).​

The province has also achieved two geographical indications for agricultural products: Tan Trieu Pomelo (Vinh Cuu District), certified for its two varieties—Duong La Cam Pomelo and Oi Pomelo—covering over 1,300 hectares, and Long Khanh Rambutan, certified for its two varieties—Java Rambutan and Nhan Rambutan—spanning over 6,700 hectares. Additionally, many agricultural products in the province have been granted collective marks.