Exploiting the strengths of OCOP products to help people increase their income and build new rural areas is a consistent policy that the local government here has been implementing.

Two decades ago, whenever mentioning the highland communes of Bac Yen district, it was mentioned the hardship and remoteness. The lives of the Mong and Dao people were still poor. Especially the production at that time was still self-sufficient. In recent years, along with investment in infrastructure, the localities here have known how to exploit their strengths to produce goods. In particular, Ta Xua commune has taken advantage of the local potential. Up to now, the commune has 4 recognized OCOP products: Thien green tea, white cloud tea (Tay Bac tea and specialty company), mountain taro and traditional ancient Shan Tuyet tea (Agricultural and cultural preservation cooperative - Pka).

Shan Tuyet tea tree produces the famous delicious Shan Tuyet Ta Xua tea product that is popular with domestic and foreign users.
popular, trusted. Photo: Nguyen Chuong.

Land of clean tea

Ta Xua used to be a remote commune of Bac Yen district with many difficulties. In recent years, Ta Xua has risen to become the fastest and strongest economic development point of the district. This place has endless green forests and ancient tea forests. Since ancient times, people have known how to exploit Shan Tuyet tea for sale. However, at that time, the exploitation was still small-scale. Thanks to the preservation of ancient tea trees, Shan Tuyet tea has now become a product sought after by consumers. As Mr. Mua A Ho, Chairman of Ta Xua Commune People's Committee said: "Shan Tuyet tea trees have become ambassadors to promote Ta Xua commune to become famous at home and abroad".

According to the people of Ta Xua, the ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees, which are hundreds of years old, have become the "goose" that lays golden eggs for the people here. The moldy tea trunks, the roots as big as a person's embrace, the luxuriant branches and leaves spreading out like a giant umbrella in the sky have been exploited by the people, turning the tea leaves into valuable products. About ten years ago, many businesses knew how to combine this advantage to exploit the ancient tea gardens with the people. From clean tea products, Ta Xua commune now has 3 tea products recognized as OCOP products.

With the help of authorities at all levels, Ta Xua people have successfully developed 4 OCOP products, including 3 tea products (Thien green tea, Bach May tea and Shan Tuyet tea). Photo: Nguyen Chuong.

According to statistics from the People's Committee of Ta Xua commune, the commune has more than 200 hectares of tea, including about 1,600 ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees. Tay Bac Tea and Specialty Company Limited is the unit that has purchased to produce ancient tea products. This unit has produced many products such as: Tea balls, bamboo tea, rattan tea and tea bags... These products have met the needs and preferences of many different customers. The company has also invested in Ta Xua tea processing technology using modern fermentation technology. On average, each year, the company purchases 60 tons of fresh tea buds, processing them into more than 10 tons of dry tea of ​​all kinds from green tea to white tea, and tea cakes. To date, 3 products of the Company have been recognized as meeting the provincial 4-star OCOP standards, including: Green Cloud Tea, Green Thien Tea and White Cloud Tea. This is one of the best teas in Vietnam. When processed into dry tea, the average market price ranges from 1.8 million VND - 6 million VND/kg.

Developing OCOP products associated with experiential tourism

Shan Tuyet tea trees have brought a stable source of income to the people of Ta Xua commune. Tourists coming to Ta Xua can not only admire the majestic mountains but also enjoy the premium tea that heaven has bestowed upon this land. According to Mr. Mua A Ho, Chairman of Ta Xua Commune People's Committee, the commune has a tea-tasting area located on a high mountain range. While enjoying tea, visitors can observe the entire majestic mountains of Ta Xua commune. Now, the number of tourist groups coming to Ta Xua is increasing day by day. This is an opportunity for the locality to open its doors to visitors and develop tourism. In recent years, many homestays have been opened to welcome visitors. Local people not only sell OCOP products but also gain many benefits from doing tourism.

Mr. Mua A Khu's family in Mong Vang village is a long-time tea-growing household in Ta Xua commune. In addition to the number of ancient tea trees that the family has preserved, Mr. Khu's family also grows more than 500 tea trees that are over 50 years old. His family picks and roasts the tea themselves to sell to tourists. He is currently completing his house to make a homestay to welcome guests. Mr. Khu shared: "Every year, Shan Tuyet tea trees bring in an income of over 100 million VND for the family."

Shan Tuyet tea trees have been protected, cared for and developed by people in Ta Xua, Bac Yen district, Son La.
Photo: Nguyen Chuong.

Like Mr. Khu's family, hundreds of other households in Mong Vang, Be and Chung Chinh villages are also benefiting from tea trees. Especially since the commune's OCOP products were recognized, many opportunities have been opened up to promote Ta Xua's famous tea products. According to Mr. Nguyen Dang Thuc, Head of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Development of Bac Yen district, each recognized OCOP product is another brand of Bac Yen land known to domestic and foreign consumers. This is an opportunity to eliminate hunger, reduce poverty and enrich many ethnic families in the locality.

When participating in the OCOP program, farmers, cooperatives and enterprises are also supported by Bac Yen district, Son La to transfer science and technology; support the construction of high-tech agricultural models associated with preliminary processing, processing and quality management according to advanced standards. Up to now, many farmers, enterprises and cooperatives have increasingly focused on improving the quality of agricultural products, gradually building brands, expanding markets and putting them on e-commerce trading floors.

According to: trangtraiviet.danviet.vn