Premier says OVOP increased citizens’ incomes, reduced poverty

Premier says OVOP increased citizens’ incomes, reduced poverty

Prime Minister Hun Manet Saturday said that the One Village One Product (OVOP) movement has played a major role in increasing incomes, revitalizing rural economic activities, reducing poverty, curbing migration, and strengthening community ownership.

In a letter supporting the implementation of the National Strategy for the Promotion of the OVOP movement for the Second Five-Year Plan (2024-2028), released on Saturday, Mr Hun Manet emphasized that the OVOP movement has been part of Cambodian society for a long time.

Some villages and communes are even named after local products, such as Chheuteal (a tree type) commune, Deum Mien (longan) commune, and Krouch Chhmar (lime) district, he added.

However, the movement has yet to expand on a broader scale.

During the third term of the Royal Government of the National Assembly, led by former Prime Minister Hun Sen, the policy to officially promote the OVOP movement was initiated. The aim was to improve living conditions and accelerate the national economy’s sustainable development by integrating traditional Khmer culture with the OVOP concept from Oita Province, Japan—an effective model for integrated rural economic development tailored to Cambodia’s socio-economic characteristics.

Mr Hun Manet said, “With the launch of the National Policy on the Promotion of the OVOP Movement (2016-2026) and the First Five-Year National Strategic Plan for the Promotion of the OVOP movement (2019-2023), we have witnessed the movement’s significant role in increasing incomes, revitalizing rural economic activities, reducing poverty, curbing migration, and strengthening community ownership.”

He emphasized as Cambodia moves toward its Vision 2050, the OVOP movement must take a more active role by encouraging people to produce, process, and utilize their resources sustainably.

This effort aims to create diverse products with a competitive edge over foreign goods.

Over the years, the National Committee for the Promotion of the OVOP movement has implemented key strategies under the National Policy on Promotion of OVOP (2016-2026). These strategies have encouraged citizens and producers to strengthen production capacity, mobilize small family producers, achieve economies of scale, improve quality, and promote local products.

“The public understanding of the movement’s importance has grown, as evidenced by the 844 production bases from 642 villages across the capital and 25 provinces participating in the movement as of 2024,” the Prime Minister said. The National Committee has officially recognized 961 products from these villages as OVOP items.

“I greatly appreciate the National Committee’s efforts in promoting Cambodian products, which have achieved remarkable success. As the Head of the Royal Government of Cambodia, I continue to recognize the indispensable role of the National Committee in leading and coordinating with ministries, institutions, development partners, and the private sector to realize the national policy’s vision. This collaboration will help transform Cambodia into a developed country with a proud international image,” the Premier said.

“The second five-year national strategic plan (2024-2028) is vital in establishing a framework for ministries, institutions, and stakeholders to address the current and future challenges faced by farmers, service providers, and producers.”

To achieve the plan’s goals, the Prime Minister urged all ministries and institutions to incorporate key activities into their strategic plans with high effectiveness and accountability.

The Prime Minister also called for the participation and support of development partners, civil society, the private sector, training institutions, microfinance institutions, farmers, service providers, producers, and citizens to further strengthen the promotion of Khmer products under the OVOP movement.

Chey Tech, a socio-economic researcher, told Khmer Times that the OVOP initiative has significantly fostered production, unity, collaboration, and coordination within local communities.

“It (OVOP) encourages communities to plan their production processes effectively while focusing on quality packaging that meets industry standards, which makes the products more appealing,” Tech said.

He also highlighted that the initiative plays a crucial role in job creation and strengthening social cohesion. “Moreover, it aids in preserving traditional culture and heritage, which not only attracts tourists but also boosts the local economy,” Tech added.

He further pointed out that the OVOP initiative’s positive impact extends beyond the local level, contributing to the broader regional economy.

“By supporting local industries and promoting sustainable development, it strengthens the national economy as a whole, helping Cambodia grow and thrive,” Tech said.

khmertimeskh