TRENCH Town-based social enterprise, Ragga Roots Herbs and Tonics, is now looking to the export market as production of its drinks is set to increase after the group received a $1.4-million grant.

The grant, which it received from Digicel Foundation through the Queen’s Young Leaders Programme, is expected to empower the group, headed by Trench Town resident Dalmeon Salmon, to acquire more equipment to be able to produce drinks in larger batches using an automated process.

A release from the Digicel Foundation yesterday said the move is a step up from bottling the tonics by hand, which will allow the team of young entrepreneurs to work and produce more efficiently. As the enterprise expands, the increase in production and sales will result in an increase in income and jobs opportunities for residents, the release said.

“We are blessed to know that we are one step closer to our dream, thanks to Digicel Foundation and the Queen’s Young Leaders Programme,” Salmon is quoted as saying in the release.

He describes the range of roots drinks and teas as spiritually inspired and pure. Its ingredients, according to the release, include medina, the sarsaparilla root and guinea hen weed, which are ground to a powder, boiled, simmered, and bottled or packaged as tea bags to give the products what Salmon describes as a “signature taste”. Besides being best-sellers among customers who believe in the power of natural products, Salmon said purchasers are commending the products for improving their health. The group also produces a line of fruit wines, the release said.

The team at Ragga Roots is hoping that through expanding the business they will be able to support efforts to bring peace and unity among residents of Trench Town. The release said they plan to use funds from increased profits to stage social and cultural events, health fairs and sporting competitions in the community.

The funds, according to the release, will also enable Ragga Roots to broaden its reach and help at least 60 students from in and around the community through skills training programmes.

CEO of the Digicel Foundation Dane Richardson said: “We are thrilled to be a part of this programme, which will unlock the potential of young people through social entrepreneurship. They can be change agents, reversing the trend towards violence and criminality. While creating economic opportunity and employment, the Queen’s Young Leaders will become a unifying and stabilising force for youth and for the wider community.”

The release said Digicel Foundation received a grant of US$1.2 million over two years from the Queen’s Young Leaders Programme, to expand its work in social enterprise development. Award winners receive a year-long tailored package of online learning, mentoring and networking, and participate in a one-week residential programme in the United Kingdom, during which they will receive their award from The Queen.