Enhancing the Quality of OCOP Products Post-Certification

Enhancing the quality of OCOP (One Commune One Product) products post-certification is an ongoing process. It focuses on standardizing production workflows, applying high technology in processing and preservation, perfecting packaging and traceability QR codes, and integrating value chains. These efforts aim to add product value, upgrade star ratings, expand consumer markets, and ultimately boost incomes for OCOP entities.

The Hung Lo Rice Noodle Cooperative (Van Phu Ward) focuses on enhancing quality after being recognized with a 4-star OCOP rating, successfully upgrading to a 5-star rating.

The Hung Lo Rice Noodle Cooperative in Van Phu was one of the very first entities to join the province’s OCOP Program in 2019. Today, its products—“Hung Lo Rice Noodles - Born from the Village” and “Premium Hung Lo Rice Noodles”—have achieved the prestigious 5-star OCOP standard and are widely recognized by consumers. Since receiving OCOP certification, the value of the cooperative’s products has doubled compared to before.

Mr. Cao Dang Duy, Director of the Hung Lo Rice Noodle Cooperative, stated: "Participating in and achieving OCOP certification has unlocked a new, more efficient pathway for our production and business operations. It helps our products build trust with consumers, meet strict quality and food safety standards, fulfill criteria for entry into supermarket chains, and step-by-step approach the international market."

To achieve such results, the cooperative always prioritizes maintaining product quality and brand reputation. Particularly after receiving OCOP recognition, the entire production process must strictly adhere to international food safety standards such as HACCP and ISO. Thanks to this, the cooperative’s products have steadily solidified their market standing, meeting rigorous technical requirements for export to demanding markets like Japan and China.

Similarly, the Da Hen Tea Production and Processing Cooperative in Dong Luong was also a pioneer in the OCOP Program. By focusing on enhancing product quality, the cooperative has gradually expanded its consumer market, creating stable employment for over 20 members with an average monthly income of 8 to 10 million VND per person.

With 13 hectares of primary raw tea materials, the cooperative supplies over 210 tons of green and black tea to the market annually. The cooperative has proactively partnered with various enterprises, such as Nam Son Company, Phuc Lam Thai Nguyen, and Thanh Nam Tea Cooperative, to distribute black tea destined for export. The remaining volume of green tea is distributed to domestic enterprises and supermarkets through tight linkages.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of the Cooperative, shared: "With the goal of protecting public health and preserving the brand reputation of Premium Da Hen Tea, we always put prestige, quality, and service attitude at the forefront. Members regularly conduct cross-monitoring throughout the planting, caring, harvesting, processing, and distribution phases under VietGAP and HACCP standards. The cooperative has also invested in electric-powered roasting, drying, and processing lines to stabilize and upgrade product quality. As a result, our products are increasingly trusted by consumers, leading to an increase in both output volume and selling prices."

Enhancing the quality of OCOP products post-certification: Members of the Da Hen Tea Production and Processing Cooperative (Dong Luong Commune) apply organic fertilizing methods instead of chemical fertilizers to improve product quality.

To date, Phu Tho Province boasts 696 OCOP products rated 3 stars or higher, comprising 584 3-star products, 106 4-star products, and 6 5-star products.

To continue driving the OCOP Program into depth and elevating product value and branding, the province has directed the Department of Agriculture and Environment to coordinate with communal and ward authorities. This collaboration aims to integrate financial aid sources to support OCOP entities, accelerate the application of science, technology, and digital transformation, and step-by-step upgrade product quality, packaging designs, and labeling, while diversifying offerings and focusing on building compelling "product stories."

Furthermore, the province orientates product development toward large-scale, concentrated commodity production. This approach complies with advanced quality management and organic production standards, tailored to meet domestic market demands while targeting exports and evaluating at higher star ratings.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hiep, Deputy Director of the Rural Development Bureau, noted: "The Agriculture and Environment sector will continue to coordinate with localities to guide and support entities in perfecting and upgrading products with competitive advantages, while developing new ones. Priority will be given to supporting products that utilize small and medium-scale primary and deep processing technologies, particularly deep-processed products made from local specialties and raw materials."

Phu Tho is putting relentless effort into building sustainable OCOP products that guarantee both quality and value. This strategy contributes to raising local incomes, maximizing the advantages of regional raw material zones, and fostering local socio-economic development.

Quan Lam