Immediately after the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 490/QD-TTg approving the "One Commune One Product" (OCOP) program for the 2018-2020 period, Son La resolutely directed and implemented the program.

According to statistics, the whole province has about more than 200 advantageous agricultural products with high economic and commercial value, which can be developed into OCOP products.

Bich Thao Coffee of Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative, Hua La Commune, Son La City is the only 5-star OCOP product of the province.

To develop OCOP products, Thuan Chau district has assigned targets to communes and towns; directed the integration of resources to support entities in building raw material areas, packaging production facilities, ensuring food hygiene and safety, with traceability stamps... Up to now, Thuan Chau has 8 OCOP products with 3 stars or more, actively contributing to the transformation of small-scale agricultural production to larger scale and linking along the value chain. Many products have been welcomed by consumers inside and outside the province and participated in export, initially affirming their brands, such as: Thu Dan Oolong tea, Pha Din Top tourist destination, Chieng La smoked fish, Da River tilapia, Trong Nguyen tea, Phong Lai honey, Huong Doi smoked buffalo meat...

According to Mr. Lo Van Thoa, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Thuan Chau district, the unit has advised the district People's Committee to direct communes and towns to plan production areas in accordance with the potential and advantages of the locality. Integrate the implementation of production support policies, build products according to the value chain. Encourage the development of economic models of households, farms, and cooperative economies. Promote propaganda, training in professional skills, and skills to develop OCOP products; organize promotional activities and bring the district's typical products to the market.

Muong La is a district with a large fruit growing area in Son La province. In recent years, to improve the quality and value of specialty and key products with high economic value, associated with the implementation of the OCOP program, contributing to improving the competitiveness of products in the market and increasing income for farmers.

To date, the district has 10 OCOP products, of which 3 products have achieved 4-star OCOP and 7 products have achieved 3-star OCOP. OCOP products contribute to increasing value and promoting sustainable economic development in rural areas. In 2024, Muong La district will have 62 cooperatives registered to operate in the agricultural sector, maintaining and developing 10 OCOP products.

In the coming time, the district will continue to improve the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of OCOP products; support businesses and cooperatives on technical standards and regulations in the production and processing of products; coordinate with specialized agencies to train people on building agricultural production models according to VietGAP processes; form concentrated production areas, promote production linkages, and contribute to promoting the development of the agricultural and rural economy.

By the end of 2024, Son La city will have 20 OCOP products with 3 stars or more, including 1 OCOP product with 5 stars, double that of 2023. Typical agricultural and rural products, bearing the traditional cultural imprint of ethnic minorities, contribute to preserving and promoting cultural values, creating jobs, and increasing income.

With the culinary culture of the Thai ethnic group in Son La, smoked meat and fish products and sausages are popular specialties. Many production facilities in the city have completed the production process to ensure food hygiene and safety, upgrading them to become special OCOP products.

Son La City has more and more products that are affirming their position in the market and making an important contribution to the local socio-economic development, such as: pure ground coffee of Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative, pickled apricot juice of Chieng Set Agricultural Cooperative, Ho Sam honey... Cooperatives and production households not only create quality products, meeting market demand, but also contribute to creating regular jobs for dozens of local workers, increasing income, and improving people's lives.

Hien Luong