The new model rural district invests to develop the OCOP products

​OCOP durian product of Xuan Dinh Agricultural Trade Service Cooperative. Photo: Phan Anh

Impressive results, now Xuan Loc District has 9 products with 3 stars and 4 stars OCOP and is also a locality that attracts many subjects to participate in the program, especially the active participation of cooperatives.

Capitalize on the local strength products

During the implementation of the OCOP program, the district is very interested in selecting and replicating unique and advantageous OCOP products of the locality. In focusing on converting crops to increase income for farmers, localities in the district focus on converting low-efficient crops to high-profit ones, especially forming specialized farming areas of fresh fruits. Accordingly, the district's OCOP program also focuses on building brands for fresh fruit specialties.

Specifically, 6 out of 9 OCOP products of Xuan Loc District have been invested by cooperatives. In which, the specialties of fruits and local agricultural products have won OCOP stars such as: durian of Xuan Dinh Agricultural Service Trading Cooperative; rambutan products of Bao Hoa Agricultural Service and Trade Cooperative; Green Mango of Suoi Lon Agricultural Service, Trade and Tourism Cooperative; Prickly lettuce of Loc Tien Safe Vegetable Cooperative; mango of Bau Sinh Agricultural Trade and Service Cooperative; black pepper of Xuan Tho Pepper Cooperative.

In the past 2 years, the district has established 9 more agricultural cooperatives, bringing the total number of agricultural cooperatives in the district to 34. The percentage of agricultural cooperatives that operate effectively, have contracts to associate with businesses on input services, production practices, processing, and product consumption have scored significant achievements.

Ms. Le Thi Hiep, Head of Agriculture Department of Xuan Loc District said that up to now, the district has built 15 planting area codes, including 9 areas of mango trees, 4 areas of rambutan, 2 areas of dragon fruit to meet the requirements of the export market. The whole district has 52 units supported to build trademarks; mainly agricultural products, fresh fruits; support 3 units to make product barcodes to enhance publicity and serve product identification. The locality attaches great importance to investing in the OCOP program, supporting cooperatives and units to build brands for the purpose of constantly improving product value and sustainably developing key local agricultural products. 

Cantaloupe meets GlobalGAP standard and meets Xuan Loc District's 4-star OCOP standard. Photo: Phan Anh

Build the safe farming areas

In Xuan Loc District, 7/9 key agricultural products have been granted certificates of good agricultural practice VietGAP, GlobalGAP including: vegetables, mango, durian, pomelo-citrus, rambutan, pig, chicken, etc. In which, there are 18/50 farms cultivating key products that apply good agricultural production practices. In which, most of the farms have contracts associated with the outsourcing enterprise.

Farmers are becoming more and more aware of safe production transformation, joining the linkage chain for more sustainable output of agricultural products. Mr. Le Dinh Trong, pepper farmer in Xuan Tho Commune, Xuan Loc District shared, Xuan Tho black pepper products have been certified with 3-star OCOP. Farmers have joined together to participate in cooperatives, together change production habits, no longer following the productivity but switch to organic farming, products certified VietGAP. The purpose is to produce quality and safe products that meet export standards to develop sustainable pepper farming areas with higher value than the traditional method.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Linh, Vice Chairman of Xuan Loc District People's Committee, the district has 6 approved production cooperation projects on crops, including: pepper, rambutan, durian, rice - corn, green vegetables, mango. In the past 3 years, the district has disbursed to support the irrigation system for the above projects with a total cost of more than VND3.7 billion. The district is also continuing to prepare documents, organize inspections and provide financial support for households participating in the linkage chains. In addition, many chains of production and consumption of mangoes, oranges, tangerines, dragon fruit, vegetables, etc. are being implemented.

Phan Anh