CABARROGUIS, Quirino (PIA)- - Preparations are underway for the inauguration and turn-over ceremony of the Quirino Integrated Rural Development (QIRD) Project II on June 1, 2023.

QIRD, the Phase 2 of the Quirino Integrated Agricultural Development Project or QIADP which was implemented in 2013-2016 is a four-year project covering the period from 2018-2021 that was implemented in Quirino province as an Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) program of Korean government thru the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

The project includes the setting-up of an integrated model farm, development of Cattle Production Capacity establishment of a state-of-the-art Cattle Breeding Center and Value Chain Formation thru the Quirino Livelihood for Everyone (Q-LifE) Center.

The Agroforestry-based Integrated Farming Model component aims to create sustainable farming systems by combining agricultural crops, trees and livestock.

On the other hand, the development of Cattle Production Capacity component includes two sub-components such as the   establishment of the 200 hectares cattle breeding center in Dungo, Aglipay and Cattle Distribution and Raising.

QIRDP also includes complete Value Chain Formation which   aims to increase the agricultural productivity and income of farmer-beneficiaries by integrating the functions of production, processing and marketing into the agricultural value chain.

The QIRD project covers the barangays under the QIADP, namely, Eden, Cabugao, Dumabel, Pinaripad Sur, Palacian and 26 barangays of Aglipay, Cabarroguis and Diffun and Maddela.

The turn-over ceremony will be graced by KOICA Country Director KIM Eunsub, Deputy Country Director Takgun Lee, Hankyong National University President Dr. Won-Her Lee, Project Manager Dr. Seong-Gu Hwang, Project Technical Consultant Dr. II-SHIN Choe, PCSO Chairperson Junie E. Cua, Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua, Congresswoman Midy N. Cua, Provincial Administrator Carmelita B. Jimenez, DA Regional Executive Director Narciso Edillo and DENR Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan.

After the inauguration, turn-over, commemorative photography and building tour of the Q-LIFE Processing Center, the guests will move to the Cattle Breeding Center in Aglipay for the ribbon cutting and Cattle Barn Tour.

It can be recalled that the Korean government, through former KOICA Country Director SHIN Myung Seop and then Governor Junie E. Cua signed the Record of Discussion (RoD) of the project on December 07, 2017, at KOICA Philippine Office, Makati City for the implementation of the US$9.5 M or Php 446 million Integrated Rural Development Project in the province with the goal reducing rural poverty and increasing farmers’ income in in the province.

During the said event, KOICA Country Director SHIN said that the project is a testament and a symbol of Korea’s strong commitment in helping the Philippines through a more comprehensive and integrated rural development approach. 

SHIN further said, the project which was implemented for five years is expected to directly benefit 650 households in Quirino Province. (MDCT/TCB/PIA-2, QUIRINO)