Red Stripe Expands Cassava Cultivation in Renewed Local Sourcing Effort

In a robust move to bolster local agriculture, Kingston-based Red Stripe, owned by Heineken International, is set to increase its cassava cultivation by an additional 120 acres. This expansion is part of the nearly decade-old Project Grow initiative, aimed at enhancing the brewery’s use of local raw materials, although it has struggled to meet initial targets due to various challenges.

The company currently manages 460 acres, with 300 acres owned in Windsor, St. Catherine, and the rest under contract farming spread across three parishes. With this expansion, Red Stripe aims to bring the total to 580 acres. This decision follows a three-year period of scaled-back operations caused by weather-related challenges and competition for planting materials, which led to inconsistent crop yields.

Red Stripe has reinvigorated its efforts by forming strategic alliances with several key entities, including the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, Agro-Invest Corporation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining’s research and development division, The University of the West Indies, Mona, and the National Irrigation Commission. Nele Vanbeneden, head of supply at Red Stripe, noted, “These partnerships are crucial for providing the support and information needed for sustainable production amidst environmental and climate uncertainties.”

In addition to expanding acreage, Red Stripe plans to double the number of farmers in Project Grow from 12 to 24, each tasked with cultivating at least 10 acres. The brewery is currently using 5% cassava starch in its popular Red Stripe beer and Dragon Stout, aiming to reduce the import of high maltose corn syrup. The goal remains to increase this percentage to 40%, a target set when the project began in 2013.

Enhancements in starch quality and volume from the additional acreage may allow for adjustments in the brewing process. To optimize the outcomes of this expansion, Red Stripe is seeking expertise through a request for proposal (RFP) for a comprehensive re-evaluation of the cassava cultivation value chain. The RFP, which opened on April 21 and will close on May 16, aims to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement within the project.

The selected consultant will evaluate global best practices and technological innovations in cassava cultivation and processing, developing a detailed proposal that includes intervention strategies, timelines, and cost estimates. This will also involve a financial analysis to assess the cost-benefit ratio of integrating cassava cultivation into Red Stripe’s supply chain more effectively.

Project Grow originally launched in 2013 after extensive planning and began with a 36-acre experimental farm on former sugarcane lands. Despite initial setbacks and fluctuating participation rates among local farmers, the project aims to revitalize and expand, with Red Stripe committing significant resources towards training, infrastructure, and support to ensure the success and sustainability of local cassava cultivation.