Son La has advantages for developing OCOP products.

Son La currently has over 200 advantageous agricultural products with high economic and commercial value, which can be developed into OCOP (One Commune One Product) products. These are all products unique to the province's region, quite diverse in type, and fall into five main groups: Food; beverages; herbs; souvenirs; and rural tourism and services. A common feature of cooperatives and businesses when developing OCOP products is their proactive approach to production, innovation in science and technology to improve product quality, and promotion and consumption through digital platforms.

Mr. Duong Gia Dinh, Deputy Chief of the Office for Coordinating the National Target Program for Building New Rural Areas in Son La province, informed: To improve the quality of OCOP products, Son La province is promoting propaganda and raising awareness regularly and continuously through mass media from the provincial level to the commune, village, and hamlet levels; linking and integrating it with propaganda activities in building new rural areas.

Implementing the One Commune One Product Program, Son La province has developed and issued a plan and established a set of criteria for evaluating and ranking OCOP products. Photo: Van Ngoc

Focus on raising awareness among rural economic organizations, state management agencies, distribution units, and consumers through conferences to implement the OCOP program; diversify communication methods through electronic portals (websites), social networks, newsletters, special features, specific images, and slogans. Organize training courses for organizations and individuals participating in the OCOP program. Promote the application of science and technology in management, build models of small and medium-sized enterprises and cooperatives producing OCOP products. Implement the registration of OCOP product traceability on the province's traceability system.

Encourage organizations and individuals to participate in programs applying high-tech, new, and advanced technologies in the production, preservation, and processing of OCOP products, and to apply OCOP product quality management systems. Conduct trade promotion activities such as organizing and sending participants to trade fairs and conferences organized by Son La province and other provinces and cities. Strengthen product quality management after ranking.

Son La province currently has more than 200 advantageous agricultural products with high economic and commercial value, which can be developed into OCOP products. Photo: Van Ngoc

Meanwhile, Muong La district has a large area of ​​fruit tree cultivation with 6,547 hectares of various fruit trees and 2,500 hectares of hawthorn trees, yielding 25,000 tons of fruit; the total annual planted area in the district reaches 27,324 hectares... The district has directed relevant agencies and localities to conduct reviews, assessments, and practical evaluations, guiding farmers and agricultural cooperatives to proactively participate in building OCOP products, contributing to increasing the value of agricultural products and raising people's income.

Mr. Lu Van Quy, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Muong La District, said: Based on the advantages of each locality, the district has supported cooperatives and people in building OCOP product registration dossiers; building and registering trademarks; digital transformation; building websites to introduce products; registering barcodes and traceability for products; printing packaging and labels for products when sold in domestic and international markets.

Up to now, Muong La district has 10 OCOP products, including 3 products rated 4-star OCOP, and 7 products rated 3-star OCOP, contributing to increasing product value and promoting sustainable rural economic development. In 2024, the district is continuing to support the development of 4 products, including: one-sun dried pork, cheese-shaken banana, wild apple tea, and leaf-fermented wine.

Muong La has 10 OCOP products, of which 3 have achieved 4-star OCOP rating and 7 have achieved 3-star OCOP rating. Photo: Van Ngoc

Gradually improving the quality of OCOP products.

According to the Deputy Head of the Office for Coordinating the National Target Program for Building New Rural Areas in Son La Province: From 2023, Son La province has implemented the OCOP Program criteria for the 2021-2025 period. The new criteria adjust and supplement some contents. For example, the evaluation and classification of products are now carried out at the commune level, instead of at the district level as before.

In addition, the district-level People's Committee will recognize OCOP products that achieve 3 stars instead of the provincial level as before, helping localities proactively select outstanding products and saving time and costs for businesses.

To date, Son La province has 151 OCOP products, including one product that has achieved 5 stars. Photo: Van Ngoc

The reform of the OCOP product evaluation and recognition system has created more favorable conditions for businesses to develop OCOP products that highlight the advantages and unique characteristics of their localities. As a result, Son La province now has 151 OCOP products, including 1 product achieving 5 stars; 55 products achieving 4 stars and 95 products achieving 3 stars.

Developing OCOP products contributes to increasing product value and promoting sustainable economic development in rural areas. Photo: Van Ngoc

By 2025, Son La province aims for each commune and ward to have at least one OCOP product. The province will continue to promote the application of science and technology in management, build models of small and medium-sized enterprises and cooperatives producing OCOP products, and register OCOP products for traceability on the province's traceability system. Simultaneously, it will review and orient the development of products based on quality. Resources will be focused on developing existing products, completing the conditions to upgrade products from 3 stars to 4 stars, and from 4 stars to 5 stars, to meet the increasingly high demands of the market.

The goal is that by 2030, at least 50% of OCOP products in the province that achieved 3-star status during the 2021-2025 period will be upgraded to 4-star; at least 10 OCOP products will meet national 5-star standards; and 40-50 provincial OCOP products will be exported abroad. The application of science and technology is one of the key factors in improving the quality and competitiveness of these products in the market.

Van Ngoc