Hà Nội’s OCOP programme creates a sustainable path for agricultural products

An automatic irrigation system to tend to OCOP-quality vegetables in Đông Cao Village, Tráng Việt Commune. — Photo courtesy of the Hà Nội Coordination Office of the New-Style Rural Development Programme

HÀ NỘI — Since its launch in 2018, Hà Nội's One Commune, One Product (OCOP) programme has effectively tackled product output challenges, unlocking potential and fostering sustainability for local agricultural products.

For many localities and farmers in Hà Nội, finding sustainable markets for agricultural products has long been a challenging and complex issue.

An example is Tráng Việt Commune in Mê Linh District. Before the OCOP programme, residents faced uncertainty each harvest season due to unstable market access and concerns about product quality. However, since joining the programme and earning three-to four-star certifications, local farmers now feel more secure in their production and have fewer worries about selling their products.

Director of Đông Cao Cooperative in Mê Linh District, Đàm Văn Đua, reported that the cooperative currently cultivates 200 hectares, producing 60,000 tonnes of vegetables each year. Since participating in the OCOP programme, the cooperative has had 18 products evaluated, with 17 receiving three-star ratings and one achieving a four-star rating.

Following their OCOP certification, market access for these products has become more stable and their value has significantly increased. The cooperative is now working with a South Korean company to process products that meet export standards.

After Hà Nội awarded a four-star OCOP certification for white and green cabbages, hundreds of households in Văn Đức Agricultural Cooperative gained confidence in producing VietGAP vegetables for the capital's market and for export. — Photo courtesy of the Hà Nội Coordination Office of the New-Style Rural Development Programme

Tiên Dương Organic Agricultural Cooperative in Đông Anh District boasts four OCOP-certified products, primarily consisting of organic vegetables and medicinal herbs like yellow flower tea. Director of the cooperative, Phạm Thị Lý, said that as a small cooperative, they decided to focus on products linked to local values, particularly vegetables.

Tiên Dương Commune (in Đông Anh district) is a major producer of safe vegetables in Hà Nội and it has a tradition of cultivating seasonal leafy vegetables, such as winter cabbage and kohlrabi, as well as summer gourds and jute.

“Upon establishing the cooperative, we undertook soil improvement and adopted safe production processes, enabling our products to compete in the OCOP programme. Our products have received excellent feedback from consumers. Currently, all of our cooperative's products are sold through collective kitchens and clean food stores,” Lý said.

Hà Nội introduces OCOP-certified agricultural products at the 2024 OCOP Product Promotion Week. — Photo courtesy of the Hà Nội Coordination Office of the New-Style Rural Development Programme

Hà Nội now has over 2,700 OCOP-certified products, showcasing diverse packaging and designs that meet quality and food safety standards. These products are increasing in value, enabling farmers and cooperatives to expand production and boost revenue. With nearly 12 million residents, the demand for agricultural products remains high, creating significant potential for local consumption.

A key feature of OCOP products is their local character, which supports the establishment of large-scale production areas and stable supply sources. To facilitate this, the Hà Nội Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has recommended planning specialised farming areas and implementing policies to promote large-scale production, including preservation, processing and distribution.

To date, most localities in Hà Nội are developing OCOP products alongside supply areas that adhere to organic, safe, VietGAP, GlobalGAP and HACCP standards, including planting codes and regional branding.

Agricultural products recognised as OCOP from Hà Nội have swiftly established their market presence and received positive feedback. The city is dedicated to boosting promotional efforts and providing stakeholders with resources and policy support to expand production and enhance product value. It also aims to guide OCOP participants in adopting advanced technologies to improve productivity and quality.

Furthermore, there is a strong focus on supporting stakeholders in trade promotion and market development, both domestically and internationally, to foster the sustainable growth of OCOP products.

Nguyễn Văn Chí, Deputy Head of the Hà Nội New Rural Development Coordination Office, said the OCOP programme has revitalised the capital's agriculture sector, encouraging farmers to innovate. — Photo courtesy of the Hà Nội Coordination Office of the New-Style Rural Development Programme

According to Nguyễn Văn Chí, Deputy Head of the Coordination Office of the New-Style Rural Development Programme in Hà Nội, the OCOP programme has awakened the agricultural production potential of the capital, serving as a catalyst for farmers to innovate their production thinking, align closely with consumer demands and create a significant shift in rural economic development, thereby enhancing the material and spiritual lives of the local population.

The article is published under the coordination of the Coordination Office of the New-Style Rural Development Programme in Hà Nội.