The implementation of the "One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) programme in Hoa Binh province has helped local companies, cooperatives, along with production and business establishments boost the development of their key and typical products, as well as the rural industries and services they are strong at. Science and technology have played an important role in the fast and sustainable development of OCOP products.
The Hop Tien cooperative in Kim Boi district has applied scientific - technological advances to produce forest honey and increase trade promotion, helping the product gain a strong foothold in the market.
Previously, the Yen Tri Agricultural Cooperative in Yen Tri commune of Yen Thuy district manually produced herbal extract products, generating per capita income of only 3 - 3.5 million VND (118 - 137 USD) for its members. Now, by applying high technology such as automatic irrigation systems and modern processing and packaging equipment, productivity and quality have been improved considerably, helping increase product value as well as per capita income by 1.5 - 2 times.
Bui Phi Nam, Director of the Yen Tri Agricultural Cooperative, said the application of high technology has helped to not only raise product value and productivity but also reduce labour costs. For example, the use of automatic and controlled drip irrigation and fertilisation systems has ensured medicinal plants are provided with sufficient water and nutrition to grow even amid unfavourable weather conditions and to have high productivity. As a result, revenue can reach 250 - 300 million VND per ha each year.
There are 158 OCOP products in Hoa Binh province at present, including two with potential five stars, 32 rated four stars, and 124 rated three stars.
Most companies, cooperatives, and production establishments joining in the OCOP programme have actively applied scientific and technological solutions to improve productivity and product quality, according to authorities’ survey.
Besides, the province has also reserved substantial resources with total cost of over 124 billion VND for helping with applying and transferring scientific and technological advances.
Talking about science - technology application and transfer serving the development of key products during 2016 - 2024, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Dinh Cong Su said the most observable success of those projects is to have formed connection among scientists, managers, businesses and farmers, apart from building technical infrastructure for agriculture and rural areas. In addition, the projects have also helped train personnel in charge of science and technique for project implementing agencies and units, thus bringing practical socio-economic benefits to local residents and the target localities.
All-level administrations and agencies have also assisted businesses to apply digital technology to boost the sale of OCOP products. In particular, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has helped advertise farm produce and OCOP products at conferences and online displays, as well as on some websites and e-marketplaces. Thanks to such efforts, key and typical products of Hoa Binh have become more popular among consumers and gradually gained a foothold in the market.
After more than four years of implementing a project launched by the Hoa Binh Party Committee’s Standing Board on developing agriculture and promoting product consumption linked with building new-style rural areas for the 2021-2025 period, the province’s industry and trade sector has made significant strides, greatly contributing to local socio-economic development.
Luong Son district has identified 2025 as the year for the accelerated breakthrough to successfully implement the socio-economic development plan for the 5-year period from 2021 to 2025. The district has been focusing on executing the plans and trying to achieve a GRDP growth rate of approximately 15%.
Since the beginning of this year, under the direction of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Sub-Department of Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Product Quality Management has strengthened the integration of the professional activities to promote and guide the organizations and individuals in the production and trading of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products to comply with the legal regulations regarding the use of chemicals, pesticides and veterinary medicines in crop cultivation, livestock farming and aquaculture. They also provide guidance to processing and manufacturing establishments on keeping the records to trace the product origins and using food additives from the approved list according to the regulations.
Hoa Binh province saw a significant rise in state budget revenue in the first two months of 2025, heard a meeting chaired by Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Quach Tat Liem.
Ha Thi Ha Chi, a 26-year-old graduate in law, has taken an unconventional path by returning to her hometown in Mai Chau district to establish the Tong Dau Cooperative, creating stable jobs for local women and bringing Thai ethnic brocade weaving to the global market.
As the Lunar New Year 2025 approached, pork prices surged, creating a profitable season for farmers in Tan Vinh commune, Luong Son district. Taking advantage of the rising demand, Can Minh Son, a farmer from Coi hamlet, sold over 30 pigs at 69,000 VND/kg, each weighing more than 100 kg. After deducting expenses, his family earned a profit of over 50 million VND.
