The High-Level Inter-regional Knowledge Exchange on One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) brought together agriculture ministers and officials from 17 African and Asian countries. The aim: to promote collaboration and explore how nations can transform their agrifood systems through national product branding and innovation.
The event, co-hosted by the Government of Viet Nam and FAO, drew participation from Bhutan, Nepal, Vietnam and 14 African countries including Malawi, Ghana, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
“Asia’s successes can inspire and support Africa’s efforts, and vice versa,” said FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu in a video message.
The dialogue focused on the FAO’s OCOP initiative, launched in 2021, which promotes value-added production of culturally significant agricultural goods. FAO officials described the program as a catalyst for food system transformation, aligned with the organisation’s Four Betters vision—better production, nutrition, environment, and life.
Vietnam showcased its One Commune One Product model, which has resulted in 16,800 branded local products, creating millions of jobs and boosting annual rural incomes by an average of 18% in participating households.
“Vietnam’s experience has demonstrated how local branding and innovation can improve food security, empower communities, and open export markets,” said Do Duc Duy, Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam.
Ministers from Africa echoed the impact of the OCOP model. Malawi’s Agriculture Minister Samuel Dalitso Kawale cited how the initiative helped rescue the country's banana sector from disease, calling OCOP a "roadmap to recovery and inclusive development."
Egypt’s representative, Ezzeldin Gadallah, emphasised that date palms, the country’s priority product, had the potential to become a leading export commodity under OCOP.
FAO also highlighted collaborations with science institutions in Asia for developing traceability tools, market intelligence, and nutrition-focused innovations to support the scaling of special agricultural products (SAPs).
As countries in Africa and Asia face growing food insecurity, climate challenges, and market disruptions, delegates agreed on the urgent need for collaborative, science-driven solutions that empower farmers and enable sustainable agricultural growth.