OCOP takes a major step forward with support from China

Rome — FAO’s flagship One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative is set to move into a new phase of accelerated implementation after a milestone Inception Workshop. 

Project leaders from 15 demonstration countries across five regions gathered at FAO headquarters in Rome from 8 to 10 July to share experiences and plan implementation.

OCOP helps countries to identify and promote special agricultural products, tap into market potential and sustainable growth, and preserve local food culture and heritage. 

China — the biggest single contributor to OCOP — has provided USD 5 million to support the initiative through the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme. 

Since the launch of OCOP by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu in September 2021, the initiative has gained significant momentum and recognition. It so far supports 95 countries to develop 56 special agricultural products which range from field and horticulture crops, to forest, livestock, and fishery products. 

These special agricultural products have the potential to be integrated into mainstream and high value domestic, regional, and international value chains and markets. They include banana (Malawi), jackfruit (Bangladesh), sweet cheery (Uzbekistan), cocoa (Trinidad and Tobago), and date palm (Egypt).   

The FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme will focus on supporting the demonstration countries to lead, showcase and facilitate OCOP implementation worldwide — sharing innovations in green production, green storage, green processing and green marketing. 

“These products are not just commodities; they are the foundation upon which we can build a more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood system. The OCOP initiative is more than just a project; it is a vision for a better future,” she said. 

^{FAO DDG Beth Bechdol delivers opening remarks during the Inception workshop: Promotion of One Country One Priority Product initiative through FAO–China South-South Cooperation Programme, highlighting the value of special agricultural products in driving transformation of agrifood systems./©FAO/Alessandra Benedetti}

China’s contribution to OCOP 

FAO Deputy Director-General Bechdol also thanked China for its support. “The People’s Republic of China’s generous contribution of USD 5 million to support global capacity building and in-country demonstration activities through South-South Cooperation is a significant milestone. By leveraging South-South and Triangular Cooperation we can amplify our impact, foster robust partnerships, and mobilize resources to deliver a cohesive and effective approach to sustainable development.” 

The Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to FAO, Lubiao Zhang, remarked how China’s focus on special agricultural products had paid dividends.  

“China’s experience has shown that promoting distinctive and competitive agricultural products is an effective pathway for achieving sustainable agricultural and rural development. It empowers smallholders, enhances value addition, and preserves agricultural heritage,” he said. 

_{Inception workshop: Promotion of One Country One Priority Product initiative through FAO–China South-South Cooperation Programme (OCOP)/©FAO/ Alessandra Benedetti} 

He went on to stress the importance of cooperation between developing countries and with partners such as FAO. “The OCOP initiative is a powerful example of how developing countries can work together, exchange knowledge, and drive inclusive, sustainable development.” He added: “China stands ready to continue working with FAO and OCOP countries, sharing experience, technology, and practical solutions under the South-South Cooperation framework.” 

Qian Zhang, Chief Project Evaluation Officer, Foreign Economic Cooperation Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, said: “FAO has made significant and effective progress in advancing the OCOP initiative and promoting the transformation and upgrading of agrifood systems. We look forward to deepening exchanges with both long-standing and new partners, sharing valuable experiences, and jointly advancing the implementation of China-FAO SSC project on OCOP.” 

Lebata Tsebang, from Lesotho's Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, remarked how China was strengthening potato value chain development through OCOP. 

“Many people in our country rely on potato farming for their livelihoods, making it a unique agricultural product for us,” he said. "China's support, primarily financial and technical, is helping our nation better develop this specialty." 

FAO Director-General Dongyu last year visited some of Lesotho’s key agricultural sites and attended a ceremony for the handover of agricultural machinery under the umbrella of OCOP. 

_{Group photo of the participants (OCOP Focal Points) of the Inception workshop/ ©FAO/Alessandra Benedetti} 

OCOP leads by example to produce ‘more with less for better’ 

Executive Secretary of the OCOP Secretariat Xia Jingyuan emphasized that OCOP aims to address unprecedented global food and agricultural challenges, particularly the need to meet increasing demand with limited supply. 

“To address present and emerging challenges, we must transform to a more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood system by producing more with less for the Four Betters — better production, better nutrition, better environment, and better life. This is exactly the rationale and roadmap of the OCOP initiative.” 

He also spoke about the scale-up of the initiative and the importance of leading by example. “In FAO history, this is the first time that a single initiative covers so many countries and products. The effective and the efficient approach is to lead through demonstration.”

_{Prof. Dr. Liping Jin, Chinese Chief Expert on potato, receives certificates from OCOP Secretariat./©FAO/ Emmie Wachira}

Anping Ye, Director of FAO’s South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division, remarked on the transformative power of international cooperation. “OCOP is not just a project but a global platform for learning, cooperation and innovation. It marks a major milestone, reflecting the deep trust and shared commitment between FAO and China to harness South-South Cooperation as a transformative modality for agricultural sustainable development. We will bring together countries with different experiences, challenges and strengths to create a powerful space for exchanging ideas, applying technology and growing together,” he said. 

Setting the stage to strengthen OCOP implementation worldwide 

Agriculture experts from China delivered a series of talks on the second day of the workshop. These included the sustainable development of potatoes, bananas, and casava in China, and the country’s advanced technologies for salt-affected soil reclamation, bio-based slow and control released fertilization, and application of agro-bioproducts.  

The last day of the Inception Workshop featured country reports and a discussion on how to strengthen technical networks and coordination mechanisms for the global success of the OCOP initiative. 

Hafiz Muminjanov, the global coordinator of the OCOP Secretariat, said: “We thank all the participants, including representatives from the 15 demonstration counties and five regions, as well as the invited technical experts and stakeholders, for making this workshop such a success. It will serve as a great platform from which to strengthen the implementation of OCOP worldwide.”