On Feb. 15, 2024, agricultural science students at Petit Bordel Secondary School harvested sweet potatoes for the first time, but they found the idea of selling them by the heap rather boring.
Five Form 5 students — Oran Williams, Lucine Bowens, Kellesia Williams, Deondre Ollivierre and Kenran Pierre — decided that the sweet potatoes could be marketed and sold differently, moving away from the traditional method of selling them by the heap, sack or pound.
The students came up with the idea to create a product targeting their classmates and teachers.
The class created a sweet potato chip brand called “PBSS sweet potato CHIPZ”, which focused on adding value/agro-processing where senior students would grow their sweet potatoes and use them to make sweet potato chips and so create their market.
“PBSS sweet potato CHIPZ” has been rebranded to “PB& CHIPZ”, with third-formers spearheading the project, taking the 20 the number of students involved in this project.
The choice of allowing lower-form students to participate in food processing was to combat the dropout rates plaguing secondary schools.
The thinking is that teaching students such a valuable skill at such a young age gives them an advantage if their educational journey takes a turn for the worse.
The project has a stable consumer base that stretches beyond the constituency and provides a monthly income towards the school’s agricultural fund.
that is so amazing
This is massive it shows that the mind is a terrible thing to waste. That project if given the right fertilizer can be turned into a million dollar industry. It is sad that the present government does not see the importance of innovation .The youths of North Leeward with the help of Doctor Shallow is going to transform the constituency and restore home where lacking. Give youth and hope a chance.
Excellent initiative . Students utilized the lands available close to the school where this amazing project can be sustained. Wish this venture every success.
Well done student and school. Once the chips are readily available, look into eddo chips and other provision products.