IMQuirino Republic of the Philippines (ne) PROVINCE OF QUIRINO Cabarroguis -000- OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR August 13, 2014 LUCRECIO R. ALVIAR, JR. CESO II Regional Executive Director Department of Agriculture san Gabriel, Tugegarao City Dear RED Alviar: We are pleased to submit the Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) for Coffee in Quirino as one requirement for our participation in the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP), Our foremost consideration in coming up with this commodity is the availability of existing coffee plantations and vast areas that can still be developed into coffee plantations . The planting of coffee in the watershed areas is one of our rehabilitation strategies to protect the watersheds of Quirino Province. ‘Moreover, Quirino Province was identified by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 02 as the most suitable Province for coffee establishment based on suitability assessment. Coffee is considered as one of the priority commodities in Region 02. With this, please accept our Provincial PCIP for Coffee signifying our utmost desire to join the PRDP. We hope our submission is in order. ‘Thank you. With my warm regards. Very truly yours,PROVINCIAL COMMODITY INVESTMENT PLAN (Establishing a Sustainable Coffee Industry in Quirino) (2014-2018) 1. DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND Quirino Province is dominantly a mountainous area which occupies about seventy percent (70%) and around twenty percent (20%) of its population live in the uplands. Its topography is dominated by the rugged and forested Sierra Madre Mountain Range. A small patch of flatlands which is actually an extension of the Isabela plains is found in the northern side of the province. It has a total area of 305,718 hectares. Of this area, only 70,258 hectares (23%) are alienable and disposable lands while the remaining 77% or 235,460 hectares are classified as forestlands. ISSUES AND CHALLENGES: Quirino consistently registered lowest annual average family income: Agriculture and forestry fuel the economy of the province. Ninety to ninety five percent (90-95%) of the population live by one form of agriculture or another. Average landholding is only one (1) hectare per farm household. The average monthly income of farming household planting corn is about P3,500.00 and that of a farmer planting rice is about P6, 700.00 which is a far cry from the income threshold of P9, 600.00 considered necessary to meet the basic needs of life, despite two (2) croppings per year. Poor condition of roads leading to market, ecotourism sites and social institutions, inadequate irrigation and postharvest facilities contribute to reducing farming income of farmers Roads leading to production areas and ecotourism sites are rather in poor or in bad conditions hampering the smooth delivery of inputs & most especially in bringing out products during rainy season. This situation contributes to reducing farming income due to high transportation costs.