KINGSTON, Jamaica – Red Stripe’s Managing Director Ricardo Nuncio says instead of only using cassava in its Red Stripe beers, the company will also be using cassava in its Dragon, Malta and Guinness products.

In a meeting with Nuncio today at Red Stripe’s Spanish Town Road offices, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Karl Samuda pledged to assist the company as it moves to produce more of its beer using locally grown cassava.

A news release from the ministry said the expanded plan will see an additional 1,000 acres of cassava planted for a total of 4,000 acres of the crop by 2020. The company also plans to contract 400 mostly small farmers to grow the cassava.

This is up from the 180 farmers the company had initially planned to engage for the project.

The ministry said the farmers will receive equipment, support and training to get them started, and will also be provided with a guaranteed price for their cassava.

Red Stripe will also directly employ 600 people on the project in the next four years.

Minister Samuda welcomed the undertaking and committed to sourcing additional land and providing other support for the project.

“I want to assure you that as far as we are concerned, you have our 150 per cent support in your undertaking because I am convinced this is a wonderful thing,” said Minister Samuda.

The project also received Minister Shaw’s stamp of approval and he too has committed to providing the company with the necessary support through his ministry.

“We hope that this model will serve as a source of inspiration across the length and breadth of Jamaica. We undertake to work with you in anyway possible to smooth the way for you,” said Minister Shaw.