A farming cooperative in Davao de Oro is a recipient of PHP8 million worth of coffee processing facility from the Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11).

In a statement Tuesday, the provincial government said the New Leyte Agriculture Cooperative (NLAC) in the area can now increase its production, processing, marketing and distribution following the turnover of the facility to them on Aug. 18.

The project components included the construction of a coffee processing facility, a coffee dryer, and a set of coffee processing equipment comprising a coffee roasting machine, grinder, depulper, dehuller, weighing scale and moisture meter.

The assistance also comes with the provision of 760 bags of fertilizer and a cooperative building.

Jorge Omictin, the NLAC chairperson, said the government assistance will help in the consolidation of all coffee beans in Barangay Masara line areas, which will later stimulate and increase coffee production in the province.

“It will minimize the overall production time and cost and remove roadblocks to our production completion,” he said.

Omictin said it will also help farmers, especially the small coffee farmers, increase the value of their green coffee beans while providing a high profit in return.

Meanwhile, Governor Dorothy Gonzaga said the support in the province’s agricultural sector has brought significant impact in terms of promoting the “Tatak Davao de Oro” campaign.

“We will see to it that they are not left behind as they are important key drivers for the inclusive growth of the economy not only in the province but also in the entire country,” Gonzaga said.

The project is under the DA-11 High-Value Crops Development Program. (PNA)