Maximizing local potential and advantages, Yen Tri commune in Yen Thuy district is actively promoting the cultivation of medicinal herbs and turning medicinal herbs into One Commune - One Product (OCOP) products.
OCOP products by Yen Tri Agricultural
Cooperative are promoted at the 2nd Da River Fish and Shrimp Festival held in
November 2024.
Chairman of the Yen Tri Commune People's
Committee Bui Phi Diep said that the economic value of medicinal plants is
tenfold higher than traditional crops like potatoes and cassava. So, local
farmers have prioritised the cultivation and expansion of medicinal herbs in
recent years.
Currently, approximately 15 ha of previously
unproductive land have been converted for medicinal herb cultivation, involving
over 140 households. This includes 6 ha of black licorice, 1 ha of "da cam” (Herba
Hedyotis capitellata), and 8 ha of other herbs. The annual yields reach over
450 tonnes, equivalent to 121 tonnes of finished products.
In addition to favourable climate and soil
conditions, Yen Tri has a strong network of traditional herbalists, numbering
around 50, including a nationally recognised herbalist. These practitioners
preserve and promote many traditional remedies, particularly for liver, joint,
kidney, and digestive ailments. The long-standing experience of Yen Tri
residents in cultivating and caring for medicinal plants creates favourable
conditions for sustainable development of both raw material zones and OCOP
herbal products.
The commune currently boasts two 3-star OCOP
herbal products - black licorice and "da cam” extract, produced by the Yen Tri
Agricultural Cooperative. Utilising modern extraction technology to preserve
medicinal properties, these OCOP products have earned the trust and high regard
of consumers both locally and beyond.
Despite these achievements, the sustainable development
of medicinal plants and OCOP products in Yen Tri faces challenges, including
unstable product markets and a lack of robust supply chains. Additionally,
post-harvest processing technology remains limited and unsynchronised.
Recently, the Hoa Binh provincial People’s
Committee has approved a project on piloting the development of OCOP herbal
products linked to local raw material zones in Yen Tri commune, creating
opportunities for sustainable growth for the locality.
The project outlines solutions to address
existing issues, including enhancing infrastructure, irrigation systems,
workforce training, modern technology transfer, and promoting trade and product
marketing. Strengthening partnerships with businesses to ensure stable product
outputs is also a priority.
The project also pointed out the need to explore
new product lines from medicinal plants, such as instant powders, tea bags,
herbal cakes, and herbal beverages.
The project is expected to support the expansion
of 36 ha of raw material zones with crops like black licorice, "da cam”,
"che vang" (Jasminum subtriplinerve), Jiaogulan, and 25 ha of buffer
zones for growing "ca gai leo” (Solanum trilobatum) in the neighbouring
communes of Da Phuc and Lac Luong.
This project will open promising prospects for
developing OCOP herbal products in Yen Tri, ensuring sustainable growth and
contributing to improving the living standards of the local people while
promoting its socio-economic development.
Dao Village’s honey – a product certified with a 3-star OCOP (One Commune One Product) rating by Thong Nhat Agricultural Cooperative in Dao Village (Hoa Binh City) – is highly regarded by consumers for its quality, richness, and variety in packaging. The distinctively sweet taste of Dao Village’s honey leaves a lasting impression on anyone who has tried it.
In alignment with Project No. 07-DA/TU, issued by the Hoa Binh provincial Party Committee on November 1, 2021, Lac Thuy district has actively promoted investment and supported the sustainable development of its industrial and handicraft sectors during the 2021–2025 period. Alongside this, the district has remained committed to preserving and revitalising traditional craft villages.
Located in the northern part of Lac Thuy district, with a temperate climate and fertile soil, Phu Thanh commune has great potential and advantages in growing tea. The long-standing experience, combined with strict adherence to organic farming practices in the tea gardens, ensures that the dried tea products from Phu Thanh and Lac Thuy as a whole are sold out immediately upon production, providing a stable and prosperous life for the local people.
Amid efforts to streamline the administrative apparatus, Hoa Binh province has intensified measures to address challenges in land clearance, resettlement support, and infrastructure investment, aiming to speed up the progress of key projects.
Hoa Binh province has posted an unprecedented economic growth rate of 12.76% in the first quarter of 2025, marking its highest quarterly performance to date and positioning it as the second fastest-growing locality in the country, trailing only Bac Giang province.
Under current regulations, products in the One Commune – One Product (OCOP) programme that are rated three stars or higher must undergo re-evaluation every three months. However, in reality, some of these products fail to consistently meet the required standards, raising concerns about the sustainability of their OCOP certification. This underscores the urgent need for producers to enhance product quality and gradually develop their OCOP products into strong, marketable brands.
