As a culminating activity of the Quirino Integrated Rural Development Project (QIRD), the Provincial Government of Quirino and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) recently held the Quirino Livelihood for Everyone (Q-LiFE) Product Launching and Marketing at The Podium Hall in Mandaluyong City.
Themed “Quirino Your Basket of Happiness: Taste the Goodness of Quality Food in QLiFE,” the one-day event showcased processed food at the Q-LIFE, flavors, and non-food products, as well as the unique biodiversity and cultural heritage of Quirino.
QIRDP is a joint project of the Provincial Government and the KOICA that was conceived in 2017 to promote an agroforestry-based integrated farming model, develop the livestock industry, and ensure complete value chain formation through the Q-LiFE. Inaugurated last June 1, the Q-LiFE Processing Center supports the processing and marketing of farmer produce to increase agricultural productivity and income by integrating production processing and marketing into the value chain.
The Quirino-KOICA partnership started in 2013 when the Korean government awarded US$ 5 M for the implementation of the Quirino Integrated Agricultural Development Project (QIADP), the first phase of the Official Assistance Program aimed at reducing poverty incidence while restoring its major watersheds in five barangays of Aglipay town. Through the QIADP, farm-to-market roads, tourism roads, feed mills, and mushroom production facilities were constructed, a series of trainings and workshops were conducted, farm inputs were distributed, and agricultural credit was opened to farmer-beneficiaries.
“As the province treads the path towards agro-industrial and agri-business development, we will showcase our investment opportunities, particularly in the agribusiness sector, which has significant and untapped potential to generate high-value additions, meet growing domestic demand for quality food and create jobs across the value chain,” says Quirino Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua.
He also mentioned that the project contributed to the decrease of poverty incidence in the Province from 15 percent to six percent.
Meanwhile, Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa expressed hope that the KOICA-funded rural development project will serve as a model for replication in other provinces. He noted that the products are not just tangible outputs of the project but are symbols of hope, growth, and collaboration.