Farmer Recruitment Underway for Outgrower Programme
Red Stripe continues to strengthen its import substitution strategy with the recruitment of a new cadre of farmers for its Project Grow programme in which local cassava is used in beer production. Cassava replaces imported high maltose corn syrup.
The farmer recruitment session held recently at the Red Stripe’s headquarters is part of the company’s plans to develop a sustainable supply chain and to increase usage of local raw materials in the company’s brewed products by up to 40% by 2020.
“Agriculture is the backbone of any country in the world. It’s not an easy sector to be in, but you’re doing something great,” Ricardo Nuncio, Managing Director, Red Stripe told the second and third batch of farmers selected under Project Grow. The first batch of thirty-four independent farmers and one farmers cooperative was selected in September 2016. Nuncio added that the company’s focus last year was to accelerate domestic growth, repatriate Red Stripe production and accelerate the use of cassava in the local brew.
Red Stripe currently has four farms - Little Windsor, Bernard Lodge, and Wallen District in St. Catherine, and one in Spring Plains, Clarendon - with combined acreage near 1000. In highlighting the company objectives for 2017, Nuncio announced that with the addition of the outgrower farmers, he hopes to boost this figure to more than 2000 by year end. He also hopes to increase production to 30 tonnes per hectare, up from the national average of 12-19, and to employ approximately 400 farmers over the next five years.
The Project Grow Outgrower Programme is expected to create a paradigm shift in cassava farming locally, as farmers will access training, technical assistance, and a market for their produce. With 20 acres of land at her disposal, Yvonne Nelson, from Crofts Hill in Clarendon was among the group of farmers who were optimistic about Project Grow. “The attraction for me is a consistent market because this is a contract where I’d be supplying Red Stripe with cassava. I’d be able to tap into the technical support so I don’t have to worry,” she said. “Farmers naturally love farming, but a huge frustration is a lack of markets. With Project Grow, the cost is known to me, the proper systems are in place, and I know how the process works.”
Richard Lewis, a farmer from St. Ann shared similar sentiments. “I am very enthusiastic about this programme that Red Stripe has started, especially since it means having a secured market for my crop,” he declared. “I see ‘Project Grow’ as a very positive endeavour and a great opportunity for Jamaican farmers.”
Raymond Dunkley, a farmer from St. Catherine said his son Raylee is also involved in the process with him, and he’s looking forward to benefitting from Project Grow. “I have been a cassava farmer for a very long time and so I know quite a lot about its cultivation. Cassava is a very useful crop to us here in Jamaica and I am glad Red Stripe has identified another purpose for it.” He said. “We have 20 acres available for cultivation. I am looking forward to our long-term involvement and seeing the overall sustainability of this project.”
At the briefing, Nuncio outlined key features of the project noting that training will play an integral role in achieving the required growth and turnover. He commented, “We are proud to see the continued positive response to Project Grow. Cassava is en route to becoming a fundamental raw material for Red Stripe. It has allowed us to provide an avenue for Jamaican farmers to broaden their expertise, have a secure market for their produce, and to contribute to the production of one of Jamaica’s most loved products – Red Stripe.”
