Cao Phong district (Hoa Binh province) has registered to add three products to the local One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme this year, namely black turmeric jelly from the Ngoc Sang Cooperative in Bac Phong commune and sugarcane liquor and sticky rice wine from Thach Yen. This year, the district is focusing on goods with stable access to raw materials, processed products, and production capacity to ensure supply to the market, said Bui Van Dan, Head of the district’s Office of Agriculture and Rural Development. By the end of 2022, Cao Phong had developed 10 OCOP goods, including three 4-star and seven 3-star ones.
Black turmeric jelly by the Ngoc Sang Cooperative in Bac Phong have been selected to be developed into an OCOP one in 2023
According to Bui Van Dan, the local OCOP products, including fresh and processed farm produce, are mainly based on its strengths of fruit-growing areas and agricultural specialties. However, in practice, many products face low production volume, small scale, and are seasonal, making them scarce, even during the main season. This partly hinders the development potential of local OCOP products.
Considering such development an important contribution to the district’s new-style rural building, the Cao Phong People’s Committee has actively disseminated information and mobilised people and cooperatives to participate in building OCOP products. The authorities have also reviewed and selected products with real potential and advantages for sustainable and long-term development.
Black turmeric jelly, which is good for digestion, from the Ngoc Sang Cooperative in Bac Phong’s Tien Lam hamlet is a promising one. In the coming time, Cao Phong plans to support locals in developing the cultivation of the plant and some other medicinal plants in this area.
Sugarcane liquor and sticky rice wine from the Thach Yen Cooperative have also been selected to be developed into OCOP products based on potential of the local rice variety in the Muong community in Thach Yen commune. It is known that this is a long-standing traditional native variety with a unique and fragrant taste.
By linking the development of products with that of local raw materials, Cao Phong has focused on supporting entities involved to standardise production processes to ensure quality, food safety, and product packaging criteria.
According to the Dan, in 2023, the district allocated 300 million VND (12,294 USD) from the central budget and 40 million VND from the local coffers to assist the building of the three OCOP candidates. Support activities primarily involve related quality assessment, documentation preparation, and product models and packaging.
In addition, the district has guided the entities in shaping ideas and developing products based on the strengths and advantages of local raw materials. It has also offered training sessions for them to improve management and organisational capacity. They have coordinated with departments and branches to promote and implement various trade promotion activities, connect supply and demand for OCOP products, and support the application of technology, machinery, and equipment to improve the production process.
Hoa Binh Newspaper – en.baohoabinh.vn