FAO introduces the innovative '5 Increases - 5 Reductions - 3 Optimizations' approach

At the High-Level Inter-regional Knowledge Exchange on One Country, One Priority Product (OCOP) Models held on July 15, the dialogue session on science, technology, and innovations for transforming agricultural and agrifood systems created a meaningful space for practical discussion aimed at solving the challenge of producing more, using less, and delivering better quality.

A model inclusive of all countries and all agricultural products

According to Dr Jingyuan Xia, Special Advisor to the Director-General of FAO and Executive Secretary of the OCOP Secretariat, in the context of a global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050 and food demand projected to increase by more than 50%, the OCOP was initiated to address the challenge of optimizing production.

Dr. Xia emphasized that OCOP is guided by the principle of "5 Increases - 5 Reductions - 3 Optimizations." This means increasing productivity, diversity, food safety, economic value, and sustainability; while reducing biodiversity loss, dependence on imported agricultural products, environmental pollution, and carbon emissions. These operational principles are built on optimizing the entire agricultural value chain, minimizing negative impacts, and maximizing economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Regarding the organizational structure and implementation of the OCOP initiative, Dr. Xia noted that FAO has established a Global Steering Committee, chaired by the Director-General, with Deputy Directors-General serving as co-chairs. At the regional level, FAO has set up Regional Technical Task Forces, led by Regional Representatives and supported by OCOP expert groups. At the national level, each member country implementing OCOP is expected to establish a national task force, chaired by senior leadership from the agricultural sector.

To date, 95 countries have actively participated in the OCOP programme, with over 90% having developed specific projects. A total of 56 priority products have been identified and incorporated into national and regional OCOP frameworks.

In terms of impact, OCOP has already shown tangible benefits across economic, social, and environmental dimensions in many localities. At the global level, it has been recognized as one of the top 10 high value-added initiatives linked to agricultural value chains. At the regional level, OCOP has become a priority area for support within various regional cooperation frameworks. At the national level, several countries have recognized OCOP products as national strategic goods, with some organizing dedicated national celebrations to honor them.

One of the programme’s most outstanding features is its inclusive nature. OCOP is open to all FAO member countries, regardless of development status, and applies to all types of agricultural products, from staple crops to fruits and vegetables, aquaculture, forest products, and livestock.

Looking ahead, FAO aims to scale up OCOP implementation to all its member states, ensuring that 100% of countries have an OCOP project. At the same time, the organization seeks to strengthen the integration of OCOP with other flagship FAO initiatives such as the Hand-in-Hand, Digital Villages, and the Green Cities. Currently, 53 countries are participating in Hand-in-Hand, 93 in Digital Villages, and 25 in developing Green Cities initiatives.

Dr. Jingyuan Xia expressed hope that OCOP will serve as a defining highlight in the lead-up to FAO's 80th anniversary.

Building a scientific network for the 'Four Betters'

Dr. Xuan Li, Senior Policy Officer and Regional OCOP Coordinator at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, shared that the region currently has 23 participating countries, each contributing one of 20 distinctive agricultural products, forming a dynamic network. These products not only represent each country's unique identity but also enrich the regional value base.

Under the leadership of the FAO Director-General and the Deputy Director-General for the Region, FAO Asia and the Pacific has developed a Regional Action Strategy aimed at transforming OCOP’s global vision into tangible outcomes. The objective is to enhance productivity, increase product visibility, strengthen competitiveness, promote linkages, and diversify implementation approaches in each participating country.

A key highlight of OCOP’s implementation is the integration of science and innovation through the “Four Betters”. According to Dr. Li, this has been a central pillar actively promoted by the FAO Regional Office since 2021, with the aim not only to connect stakeholders but also to align OCOP value chains with technological innovation and digital transformation.

FAO has established a regional science and innovation network, built around four pillars of innovation, each corresponding to one of the "Four Betters":

Better Production: Digital technologies and locally appropriate seed selection are being applied to improve productivity and production efficiency at the community level.

Better Nutrition: Initiatives are being undertaken to preserve indigenous crop varieties and improve the nutritional value of OCOP products.

Better Environment: FAO, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, has developed Geographical Indications Environment & Sustainability (GIES) to enhance visibility and monitoring of production zones.

Better Life: Efforts are focused on increasing market access and using digital tools, such as QR codes and GPS tracking to enable consumers to trace product origins down to specific local areas.

According to Mrs. Li, the network established by FAO provides a solid foundation for the broad implementation of the OCOP initiative, effectively linking scientific, market, environmental, and community elements.

The use of QR codes to trace production areas and the integration of product data systems through digital platforms represent significant advances that enable OCOP to adapt to the new demands of a modern, transparent agricultural system.