Surigao Sur coffee growers to expand after P9.6-M gov't aid

BUTUAN CITY – A group of coffee growers in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, is set to expand its marketing and production operations as the Department of Agriculture (DA) provides fresh support to the organization.

Liezel Chavaria, manager of San Nicolas Development Cooperative (SANIDECO), lauded the government's continuing support of their organization through the DA's Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP).

"We received an additional PHP9.6 million support from the DA-PRDP in terms of equipment that includes 30 units of all-weather solar dryers, a cargo truck, and a hauling truck," Chavaria said in a phone interview on Monday.

She said an added buying capital of PHP796,000 was also included in the fresh support from the government on May 10.

"The SANIDECO, with 400 members, now covers around 600 hectares of coffee farms in Barangays Doña Carmen, Sta. Juana, Hinagdanan, and Malatab here in Tagbina,” she said.

In 2022, the group started its coffee processing operations with the support of the DA through the release of machinery and equipment worth PHP2.4 million.

"We produce premium and fine coffee products, which we supply to the market in Surigao del Sur and the nearby provinces. We are also supplying some coffee shops," Chavaria said.

In 2023, after a year of processing operations, she said the cooperative managed to earn a PHP403,000 net income.

"With the additional support from the government, we are expanding our operations this year to widen our coverage in coffee production. We are targeting around 175 hectares of coffee farms for expansion," Chavaria said.

The new trucks will speed up the transportation of harvested coffee from farms to the processing site in Tagbina, she said. (PNA)