Agric, NIMET partner to raise farmers data base for early warning climate predictions

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari has partnered with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on NiMETs Seasonal Climate Prediction to assist in shaping agriculture in Nigeria.

At a joint press briefing on NiMet’s annual Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), in Abuja yesterday, the Minister said that NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction can assist in shaping agriculture in Nigeria through information

According to Kyari, the Seasonal Climate Prediction can assist with information about the pattern and duration of rainfall across the country’s agronomic zones when to grow and the length of the growing season, as well as dry spells that could occasion the loss of agricultural investment, where remedial measures are not taken.

“This in turn helps to boost the adaptive capacity of farmers. Regrettably, there have been farming seasons in Nigeria when farmers did not take advantage of the institutional advice from NiMet’ and on their misread the rainfall pattern, only to face dry spells that invariably ruined their crops and livelihoods”

Responding, Charles Anosike, the Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, and Nigeria’s permanent representative with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), said; “Your presence here today, at our headquarters, marks another milestone in the deliberate and desirable collaboration and co-operation between our Ministry and your agency.

He noted that over the years, critical sectors of the economy, such as aviation, maritime, and agriculture, had come to rely on the Seasonal Climate Prediction published by NiMeT usually in the first quarter of the year. The reliability of the Seasonal Climate Prediction is indicated by increased recourse to the weather advisories contained therein”, he added

The NIMET Boss expressed the wish to build on the agric. database of farmers through formal engagements with farmers, and the media, but noted lots of existing gaps within the dissemination space.

“Our goal is to reach as many Nigerians as possible with timely, accurate and actionable weather and climate information as part of the NiMet Early Warning Drive”

Continuing, Professor Anosike said; “Food security requires consistent collaboration with all stakeholders. The SCP as predicted are being manifested but the challenge remains to disseminate the contents to over 70 million farmers in Nigeria. Farmers need to be equipped with information and other resources to make climate-resilient decisions”.

Meanwhile NiMET on Tuesday had warned of impending thunderstorms in 20 states including Kogi, the FCT and Lagos States respectively.

Other states include Oyo, Kwara, Ogun, Ekiti, Akure, Edo, Nasarawa, Benue, Ebonyi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Taraba, Rivers, Delta, Enugu and Bayelsa states Respectively

In its weather outlook issued April 14, 2024, and posted on its X (Twitter Page), it warned that Cloudiness with sunshine intervals are expected over the North and Central States, and cloudy to the South