Dong Nai: OCOP products elevate agricultural products

From local specialties rich in regional identity, the “One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) Program in Dong Nai is gradually elevating agricultural products toward professionalism and modernization.

Nguyen Thi Hoang (3rd from right), Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Committee (now Member of the City Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the City People’s Committee), visits an OCOP product display at the 2025 OCOP product evaluation and classification conference. Photo: To Tam

Beyond standardizing quality, OCOP also opens up a journey of brand building and value enhancement, bringing products to domestic and international markets.

Upgrading OCOP ratings, enhancing product value

In recent years, the OCOP product development program in Dong Nai has spread widely, attracting active participation from businesses, cooperatives, and production households. From small-scale operations, many establishments have boldly invested in technology, built brands, and gradually upgraded their products from 3-star to 4-star and 5-star status.

One of the typical stories is the journey of Ca Cao Trong Duc Co., Ltd. (Phu Hoa commune) to achieve 5-star OCOP certification. Leveraging the advantages of the raw material area, the company successfully developed the 3-in-1 pure cocoa product, which was formerly Dong Nai's first 5-star OCOP product.

Dang Tuong Khanh, Director of Ca Cao Trong Duc Co., Ltd., stated that to achieve 5-star OCOP certification, products not only need to ensure quality but also must meet strict standards for production processes, traceability, and international competitiveness.

According to Dang Tuong Khanh, each OCOP product, especially 5-star OCOP products, is not just a commodity but also carries the mission of being an "ambassador" for the locality. Through the products, the cultural values, people, and specialties of Dong Nai are widely spread, gradually conquering international markets. To achieve this, businesses must persistently build sustainable raw material areas, control input quality; and at the same time invest in technology, modernize production lines, and enhance competitiveness.

Dong Nai is also considered the "cashew capital" of the country, where many deep-processing enterprises are strongly emerging in the OCOP program. In Binh Phuoc Ward, various processed cashew products are gradually asserting their position in the market.

Tran Van Son, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gia Bao Group Joint Stock Company, said that the fact that six Ba Tu Binh Phuoc cashew products achieved 4-star OCOP certification is not only a recognition of quality but also a step to affirm the position of the local agricultural brand. "We determine that OCOP is not a destination but a foundation for long-term development. From carefully selected cashews, the company constantly improves formulas, diversifies flavors, and designs packaging suitable for many customer segments," Tran Van Son shared.

In the coming time, the company will continue to develop high-tech application product lines, aiming for 100% of products to achieve 4-star OCOP or higher; and at the same time upgrade existing products to 5-star status, gradually building a brand that reaches national stature.

In another field, swallow's nest products are gradually asserting their position in the OCOP program. As one of the units with 7 products achieving 3-star OCOP status, Duong Van Du, Director of Duong Vu Commercial Investment and Service Clean Nest Co., Ltd. (Xuan Bac Commune) said; OCOP has become a "catalyst" helping businesses change their production and business methods.

"Previously, we mainly consumed raw products, so the value was low. When participating in OCOP program, we received support to improve packaging, labels, standardize processes, and enhance quality. As a result, the product's value has significantly increased, and at the same time, opportunities to access large distribution systems have expanded," Du shared.

Not only large enterprises, but many agricultural cooperatives also leverage OCOP to assert their brand. A common trait of successful OCOP entities is a strong shift in mindset: focusing on quality, building brands, and telling product stories linked to local land and culture. This has helped OCOP products move beyond being mere "local specialties" to become high value-added goods.

Asserting position, aiming for international market

It is no coincidence that Dong Nai is considered one of the leading localities in the Southern region for OCOP development. After many years of implementation, the program has become a crucial pillar in rural economic development.

According to Le Thi Anh Tuyet, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the OCOP program has spread strongly, unleashing the potential of localities, attracting businesses, cooperatives, and households to participate in. Many products have formed value chains, improving quality and competitiveness. Concurrently, synchronized support policies have been implemented, such as: support for packaging, traceability stamps, quality standard consulting, trade promotion, credit, and chain linkages... creating conditions for entities to develop products more systematically.

Ba Tu cashew products achieving 4-star OCOP certification always ensures strict production processes

Not only has the quantity increased, but the quality of Dong Nai's OCOP products has also been continuously improved. Many localities such as Binh Phuoc, Xuan Loc, Trang Bom... have proactively built raw material areas, supported businesses in technological innovation, and aimed for international standards.

According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment, in the coming time, Dong Nai will continue to promote awareness of the necessity and principles of OCOP, the set of criteria for evaluating and classifying OCOP products, the program content, and state policy mechanisms. Especially, it will strengthen guidance on development methods and new product ideas. On the other hand, it will organize training for OCOP management staff and participating entities; implement the annual OCOP cycle, organize evaluation and classification of OCOP products; and simultaneously conduct trade promotion, product advertising, and tourism development associated with OCOP.

OCOP is not only a product development program but also a comprehensive solution to restructure the agricultural sector and improve people's incomes. In this, the role of the commune and ward level is particularly important in directly supporting entities to develop products, complete dossiers, and upgrade star ratings.

According to Truong Quang Ha, Deputy Head of the Economic Department of Xuan Bac Commune, the locality will continue to review key products, orient development according to OCOP criteria; support organizations and individuals to improve production processes and enhance quality. At the same time, it will create conditions for products that have not yet met standards to unleash their potential, gradually upgrade their ratings, contributing to the development of the local agricultural economy.

It can be seen that in the context of deep integration, OCOP is not only a product development program but also a "passport" for Dong Nai's agricultural products to enter larger markets. With a systematic strategy and the companionship of all levels and sectors, Dong Nai's OCOP products are gradually asserting their position, aiming to conquer domestic and international markets.

To date, Dong Nai has over 450 OCOP-certified products from more than 270 entities. Among them, there are 11 five-star OCOP products, 89 four-star OCOP products, and the rest are three-star OCOP products. They mainly belong to product categories such as: food, beverages, medicinal herbs and products from medicinal herbs, handicrafts, ecological tourism services, and tourist destinations.

By To Tam - Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha