Project description
Locally available banana and plantain fiber supports biodegradable sanitary-pad production. The initiative connects that enterprise with agroforestry, medicinal-plant conservation, planned community health services and youth skills that can lead to local employment.
Explore the community context, existing work and development plans described by the project.
Community Context
This project addresses interconnected social, environmental, and economic challenges faced by rural communities in Taraba State, Nigeria.
Menstrual hygiene remains a significant challenge for many adolescent girls and women because affordable menstrual products, suitable facilities and practical information are not consistently accessible. The project aims to reduce stigma and barriers to participation in school and community life.
At the same time, rural communities in Taraba State face environmental degradation, declining soil fertility, youth unemployment, and limited access to vocational training and health services.
The proposed initiative integrates women-led sanitary pad production, agroforestry development, natural medicine production, community health services, youth vocational training, and recreational infrastructure to strengthen community well-being, environmental restoration, and local economic resilience.
Direct Beneficiaries
- Women trained in sanitary pad production
- Women farmers participating in agroforestry activities
- Youth benefiting from vocational training
- Adolescent girls accessing affordable sanitary pads
- Indirect Beneficiaries
- Schools and health centers in surrounding communities
- Farmers benefiting from tree seedlings
- Community members benefiting from improved environmental restoration and economic opportunities
Ecological Landscape
Taraba State has a diverse ecological environment with strong potential for agroforestry development and sustainable agricultural systems.
The region contains abundant agricultural biomass resources, particularly banana and plantain plants, which provide natural fibers that can be used in biodegradable sanitary pad production.
Primary Ecosystem Type
- Agricultural landscape
- Savanna / woodland ecosystems
Environmental Conditions
- declining soil fertility
- land degradation
- reduced tree cover
- pressure on natural vegetation
Restoration Needs
- agroforestry development
- soil restoration
- tree planting for climate resilience
- conservation of biodiversity and medicinal plants
Regional Economic Context
Most rural communities in Taraba State depend primarily on agriculture and small-scale trade for livelihoods.
Major Economic Activities
- smallholder farming
- fruit production
- livestock production
- local trading
Agricultural resources such as banana and plantain plants provide raw materials that can support biodegradable sanitary pad production and local enterprise development.
Back to sections ↑Natural Resources & Extractive Activity
Understanding the natural resource context helps inform both environmental restoration and long-term regional development opportunities.
Known Natural Resources
- fertile agricultural land
- fruit trees
- plantain and banana plants
- medicinal plants used in traditional medicine
Core Project Systems
The project integrates several community systems designed to improve health, livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and youth development.
Primary Components
- Women-led biodegradable sanitary pad production enterprise
- Agroforestry development and environmental restoration
- Community seed banks and nurseries
- Natural medicine production using medicinal plants
Community Health Systems
To strengthen access to integrated health services, the project will support the development of:
- a community clinic providing primary healthcare services
- a natural pharmacy producing herbal medicines and plant-based remedies
- a small diagnostic laboratory supporting preventive and diagnostic care
Sanitary pad production will be integrated with this health system to improve menstrual hygiene management and support women-led enterprise development.
Vocational Training
Vocational training programs will be developed within local schools and community facilities to equip youth with practical and marketable skills.
Training areas may include:
- renewable energy installation and maintenance
- tailoring and textile production
- carpentry and furniture making
- agricultural processing and value addition
- ICT and digital literacy
- entrepreneurship and cooperative management
These programs will support both students and out-of-school youth while strengthening the long-term sustainability of community infrastructure.
Back to sections ↑Three Pillars of Sustainability
All Collaborative for Change initiatives aim to strengthen social, environmental, and financial sustainability.
Social Pillar
- improved menstrual hygiene management for women and girls
- reduced school absenteeism among adolescent girls
- community health services through clinics, natural pharmacies, and diagnostic laboratories
- vocational training opportunities for youth
- improved community well-being and recreational opportunities
Environmental Pillar
- planting of 200,000 fruit and economic trees
- agroforestry development and soil restoration
- utilization of agricultural biomass for biodegradable sanitary products
- conservation and cultivation of medicinal plants
- restoration of degraded landscapes
Financial Pillar
- women-led sanitary pad production enterprise
- seedling production and sales through community nurseries
- natural medicine production and herbal products
- vocational training leading to small enterprises and local employment
Role Within the Country Platform
This initiative could serve as a regional hub for women-led enterprise, agroforestry restoration, and community health systems within Nigeria.
Potential contributions include:
- production and distribution of biodegradable sanitary products
- supply of seedlings for environmental restoration
- preservation and commercialization of traditional medicinal knowledge
- vocational training opportunities for youth
- support for integrated community health systems
Potential Synergies With Other Projects
The project may collaborate with other initiatives through:
- seed and seedling distribution networks
- agroforestry training programs
- community health education initiatives
- renewable energy systems to support production facilities
- shared market networks for community enterprises
Collaboration Needs
Key partnerships and resources that could strengthen the project include:
- technical support for sanitary pad production systems
- agroforestry training and nursery development expertise
- renewable energy infrastructure to support facilities
- water systems for nurseries and agricultural activities
- enterprise development and cooperative management support
Community Leadership & Governance
Project Lead
Initiative for Climate Change and Renewable Energy Advocacy (ICCREA)
Community groups involved
- women's associations
- youth groups
- farmers
- schools and community institutions
Training
Women and youth will receive training in:
- sanitary pad production
- agroforestry practices
- cooperative management
- entrepreneurship and financial literacy
Integration Potential
The project integrates women-led enterprise, environmental restoration, community health services, and youth training.
Within the Collaborative for Change – LCPA framework, it could contribute to:
- regional agroforestry restoration networks
- integrated community health systems
- women-led manufacturing enterprises
- youth vocational training systems
- broader country-level development platforms