The Korean Government through Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Provincial Government of Quirino successfully conducted the inauguration and turn-over ceremony of the Q-LiFE Center and Cattle Breeding Center, two of the major structures built under the Quirino Integrated Rural Development Project (QIRDP) on June 1, 2023.
The QIRDP, in the implementation of Phase II from 2018-2023, provided the setting-up of an integrated model farm for agroforestry development, the establishment of the Quirino Livelihood for Everyone (Q-LiFE) Center for value chain formation and the Cattle Breeding Center (CBC) for the development of the local livestock industry.
The Centers will showcase advanced and cutting-edge technologies and would benefit more than 650 farming households in Quirino Province for inclusive and sustainable rural development. The development project will contribute to poverty reduction by increasing farmers’ income and will also serve as a model of a comprehensive and integrated rural development initiative, not only to other provinces in the Philippines, but also to other developing countries around the world.
Quirino Province through the QIRDP will be able to process meat, fruits and vegetables, tea, bread and noodles and other products at large quantities for local consumption and sell these to neighboring provinces through the state-of-the-art Q-LiFE Center while the CBC will be utilized for cattle raising and distribution. The agroforestry-based integrated model farm component aims to create sustainable farming systems by combining agricultural crops, trees and livestock.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by Korean Embassy Development Deputy Chief Kim Dosik, KOICA Country Director Kim Eunsub, Hankyong National University President Dr. Lee Won-Hee, Project Manager Dr. Hwang Seong-Gu, Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua, Provincial Administrator Carmelita B. Jimenez, DA Regional Office II Executive Director Narciso Edillo and DENR Regional Office II Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan.
The QIRDP covers 29 barangays in the municipalities of Aglipay, Cabarroguis, Diffun and Maddela. The Phase I of the Quirino Integrated Agricultural Development Project (QIADP) implemented in 2013-2016.
