From August 19th to 22nd, 2024, the Katsina State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, in collaboration with the Adolescent Girls’ Initiatives for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, successfully conducted a 4-day sensitization and training program focused on the production of tea bags using indigenous economic plants.
The training brought together 480 participants, including 420 students and 60 teachers, from 50 different schools across Katsina State. Throughout the program, participants gained valuable skills in identifying 10 indigenous plants suitable for tea production and learned the techniques for processing tea bags through 12 hands-on workshops.
One of the primary objectives of the training was to raise awareness about the economic potential of local plants. Discussions highlighted that participants could earn between ₦10,000 and ₦50,000 per month from small-scale tea production ventures. In fact, an impressive 90% of participants expressed interest in starting their own tea production businesses following the training.
Feedback from the event was overwhelmingly positive, with 85% of participants rating the training as “excellent,” reflecting the importance of practical skills in their educational experience.
Looking ahead, the AGILE Project plans to organize 2 follow-up workshops to further develop participants’ entrepreneurial skills and knowledge in sustainable agriculture. The training aims to contribute to local economic development, with a goal of establishing at least 5 community-led tea production cooperatives in the coming year.
The success of this training underscores the commitment to empowering students and teachers through education and practical skills development. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the participants, facilitators, and supporters who contributed to making this program a success, and we look forward to continued initiatives that foster sustainable development in our community.
Katsina State, Nigeria