Cassava ice cream. Cassava wine. Cassava porridge. Cassava bread. In addition to these items, there were also non-edible cassava products - such as mats and hand-held fans - on display during yesterday's opening of the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show 2008 in Clarendon.

The Rural Agricultural Develop-ment Authority (RADA) Cassava Village has been established at the showground with more than 15 by-products of the staple on display.

There were also at least four varieties of the produce for viewing at the village, as well as the machine used to grate cassava. There, patrons were able to sample the cassava porridge free of cost.

"Ummm! This tastes good," one woman commented after sampling the creamy, hot beverage.

Regarding the wine?

"Fine tasting, very sensational in texture," said a Clarendon-based policeman after tasting a glass of the liquor.

"Cassava is a versatile product with huge potential regarding food security," said Al Powell, executive director of RADA. "People think cassava means bammy, but there is far more to the staple than that."

RADA was also using the variety of cassava items being offered at the village to assess which by-products could be commercialised.

All 12 parish pavilions at the show have also explored the produce and created something edible.

Cassava has gained national attention since agriculture minister Dr Christopher Tufton announced that the Government would explore its potential for consumption and as use for animal feed, when he made his contribution to the national Budget Debate back in April.

Tufton said he was pleased with the varieties on display.