High-level event underscores progress of One Country One Priority Product Initiative

Despite global challenges to  sustainable agrifood systems , countries are finding practical solutions through FAO’s One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative - from training farmers and building stronger value chains to improving trade and adopting emerging technologies.

Experts from across the world shared insights during a high-level event on the implementation of the OCOP initiative, held on 15 October 2025 as part of FAO’s 80th anniversary celebration. The event highlighted how 18 demonstration countries are promoting various Special Agricultural Products (SAP) with strong potential for sustainable development while nourishing communities and empowering farmers.

Nguyen Minh Tien, Director of Trade Promotion, Center for Agriculture, Viet Nam (AGRITRADE), pointed out that a key lesson from OCOP is that cultural significance linked with a product can be a major driver to increase its market appeal. “OCOP products are more than commodities; they embody national pride, cultural identity, sustainability, and a vision of global connection,” he said.

“The progress of OCOP since its launch in 2021 is a remarkable achievement, having gained global recognition with 95 member nations now promoting 56 SAPs across crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries,” said Yurdi Yasmi, Director of FAO’s Plant Production and Protection Division and Deputy Executive Secretary of the OCOP Secretariat. “OCOP is country-led and country-owned, so the engagement of national stakeholders and governments is critical,” he added.

Pathmanathan Umaharan, Director of the Cocoa Research Centre at the University of the West Indies, noted that while Trinidad and Tobago produces high-quality cocoa, productivity has declined due to limited replanting. Through OCOP, training, technology transfer and networking are revitalizing the sector. “This model can be transferred to countries with similar value chains,” he added.

In Egypt, OCOP has supported the National Date Palm Strategy, training, quality assessments, value chain analysis, and seven Green Climate-Smart Extension Manuals, said Khaled El-Haggan, date palm producer and Chair of Egypt’s Date Palm Committee. He stressed that more training and awareness are needed to attract producers and promote sustainable practices.

Chuang Liu, ​Vice-Chair of OCOP Regional Organizing Group for Asia and the Pacific, ​and Professor at the Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research of Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlighted the diversity of SAPs across OCOP countries from tea in China to quinoa in Bhutan and jackfruit in Bangladesh. The challenge, she said, is balancing socio-economic benefits with environmental sustainability.

​Hafiz Muminjanov, Technical Adviser and OCOP Global Coordinator at FAO, wrapped up the session by summarizing the discussion on the next steps for successful OCOP implementation: strengthening and scaling-up country-level demonstrations; mobilizing new resources and partnerships; enhancing communication and knowledge sharing; ensuring that farmers and rural communities remain central to OCOP’s work.

“This session reaffirmed that OCOP is a collective journey. By combining science, education, markets, and farmer-centred approaches, we are building agrifood systems that are more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable,” said Muminjanov.

Jingyuan Xia, Adviser to the FAO Director-General, and Executive Secretary of the OCOP Secretariat, called the event as a “milestone” for the initiative. He said the discussion deepened the understanding of OCOP’s core value - tackling the unprecedented challenges in agrifood systems by “producing more with less”. The event will encourage “better recognition of the OCOP’s core value on how to contribute to the FAO four ‘betters’: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life,” said Xia.

Speakers at the technical session. From left to right: Khaled el-Haggan, Yurdi Yasmi, Chuang Liu, Nguyen Minh Tien and session moderator Jingyuan Xia. ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano

Ministerial session

Ministers and senior officials from Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, and Mexico joined a subsequent ministerial session emphasizing the importance of OCOP to their countries’ producers,  food security and livelihoods.

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, who launched the OCOP initiative in 2021, stressed the power of collective action and partnerships to accelerate the transformation of global agrifood systems. “The strength of the OCOP initiative lies in partnerships and collaborations. Governments lead, farmers implement, the private sector brings innovation, academia shares expertise, and development partners offer support,” he said. “Through collective efforts, we can deliver real change – especially for small-scale farmers and rural communities – while advancing the transformation of global agrifood systems.”

His Majesty King Letsie III of the Kingdom of Lesotho and FAO Special Goodwill Ambassador for Nutrition, cited Lesotho’s potato sector as a powerful example of the impact of OCOP. Once reliant on imported potato seed, the country is now developing a homegrown seed industry. “Special agricultural products, when strategically supported, can drive rural transformation. They offer agronomic and cultural advantages and help build resilient, sustainable food systems,” he said.”.

Andis Salla, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development of Albania, praised the OCOP initiative as “an important opportunity to unlock the untapped potential of rural areas.” Working with FAO, Albania has identified the chestnut as its priority product and launched a “ Chestnut Route” that connects tourism, agriculture and cultural heritage, he said in a video address.

From left to right: FAO Director-General QU Dongyu and His Majesty King Letsie addressing the audience during the ministerial session. ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano

Yacine El-Mahdi Oualid, Algeria’s Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, said his government is investing heavily in in climate-resilient agriculture through OCOP, supporting fig value chain and agro-industries. “OCOP is a tool for empowering rural communities, supporting local innovation, and creating employment in areas forming the backbone of our food security” he said.

Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the advisor, Ministry of Agriculture of Bangladesh, shared remarkable progress in  enhancing the jackfruit value chain through orchard development, improved varieties, year-round and latex-free production, private sector investment in processing industries, and export promotion to China, Europe, and the Middle East. “These collective efforts will contribute to the transformation of sustainable agrifood systems worldwide,” he said.

From Mexico, Rubén Irvin Rojas Valdés, General Coordinator at the Secretariat of Agriculture, said the country is strengthening sustainable production of amaranth – a crop well suited to drought and soil degradation. “In the face of prolonged droughts and soil degradation, amaranth stands out as a strategic crop for productive greening and climate resilience” he said.

Closing the event, FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol said, “OCOP is about more than technical action – it’s about bridging tradition and innovation. It unites us around a shared vision of trust and solidarity.” She urged participants to invest in value chains, build youth and women’s capacities, and deepen partnerships at every level.

Watch the webcast of the event and find the event photos HERE.

A group photo of the speakers and panelists from technical and ministerial sessions. ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano