BUTUAN CITY: A group of coffee growers in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, has acknowledged the Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) for providing a PHP1.3 million hauling vehicle to transport farm products to various markets. In a statement on Thursday, Leonardo Evangelista, chairman of the Mabuhay Kahayagan Coffee Growers Cooperative, said the release of the hauling vehicle is timely as the group is expanding its markets not only in the province but also in other parts of the region. 'The support is a significant boost as we start to expand our market, which will also boost the local coffee industry in the province,' Evangelista said. On Wednesday, DA-13 Regional Director Arlan Mangelen led the turnover of the hauling truck to the group. The cooperative currently manages some 128 hectares of coffee production area, which yields around 30 metric tons of fresh coffee cherries annually. 'With the addition of the hauling vehicle, we foresee increased productivity and profitability, further solid ifying our position in the local coffee industry,' Evangelista said. He said the cooperative also produces five metric tons of green coffee beans and two metric tons of ground coffee yearly. Source: Philippines News agency