The Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), on Saturday, 24 August 2024, collaborated with Voice for Environment to conduct a pivotal training session at the community square in Kadna, Minna, Niger State.
The training, aimed at women and youth, focused on the production of briquettes—a clean and sustainable energy source that serves as an alternative to traditional fuels like wood and charcoal.
This initiative is a continuation of CSDevNet’s efforts to promote sustainable energy solutions across Northern Nigeria, addressing deforestation, waste management, and local economic development.
The training brought together over sixty beneficiaries, marking a significant step toward empowering the Kadna community.
The state coordinator for Greenhouse Economy in Niger State, Hajiya Aishatu Ibrahim Kutigi, opened the session by expressing her gratitude to the participants and the CSDevNet team.
She emphasized the importance of adopting briquette production as an environmentally friendly and smokeless cooking alternative.
“I am delighted to stand before you today, my fellow women, to learn from this training, which offers an easy way to access clean cooking energy produced from agricultural waste,” she said.
Mr. Musa Ibrahim, the founder of Voice for Environment, also highlighted the health benefits of clean cooking and encouraged participants to scale up briquette production, which could significantly improve their livelihoods.
The primary objective of the training was to reduce deforestation by decreasing reliance on wood and charcoal while promoting responsible environmental practices through the conversion of bio-waste into clean cooking energy.
CSDevNet Program Assistant, Miss Mariam Idris, and Admin Assistant, Mr. Chukwuemeka Agu, were on-site to oversee the training and further strengthen the organization’s relationship with the local community.
Led by briquette production expert Mr. Ibrahim Shamsudeen, the training provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the production process, from sourcing dry maize stalks to molding the briquettes.
The session trained over 60 women in the production of briquettes— a clean energy alternative made from agricultural bio-waste such as maize stalks, mud, and starch.
This practice not only reduces carbon emissions and deforestation but also promotes healthier living conditions and supports local economic development.
The Emir of the Kadna community praised the initiative, noting its significance given the current economic challenges in the country. He expressed hope that the training would be replicated in neighboring communities with the help of local volunteers who may take on the role of upscaling briquette production.
At the end of the training, participants were awarded certificates and provided with clean cooking stoves. The community also engaged in a tree-planting activity to underscore the importance of trees in the environment.
These briquettes serve as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional fossil fuels, directly contributing to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
In conclusion, the briquette production training in Kadna Community marks a significant advancement in sustainable energy solutions and environmental stewardship.
By equipping local women and youth with the skills to produce briquettes, the initiative has laid a solid foundation for reducing deforestation, improving waste management, and promoting healthier
living conditions. The success of this training sets the stage for future expansion and replication in neighboring communities, aligning with broader goals of sustainable development and environmental conservation.