By Naomi Ewansiha
April 22, 2024
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has forged a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in a concerted effort to bolster agricultural resilience against the backdrop of unpredictable weather patterns. This collaborative initiative aims to leverage NiMets Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) to empower farmers with crucial information necessary for decision-making in agricultural activities.
During a joint press briefing held in Abuja, Minister Kyari highlighted the pivotal role of NiMets SCP in shaping agricultural practices across Nigeria. He emphasised the significance of accurate weather forecasts in guiding farmers on optimal planting periods, anticipating dry spells, and mitigating potential losses.
Citing past instances where farmers suffered due to misinterpretation of weather patterns, Kyari stressed the importance of heeding NiMets advisories to safeguard agricultural investments and livelihoods.
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, Kyari said.
Charles Anosike, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, lauded the collaborative spirit between the Ministry of Agriculture and NiMet. Anosike highlighted the widespread reliance on NiMets SCP by key sectors like aviation, maritime, and agriculture, emphasising the credibility and utility of the agencys weather predictions. He expressed NiMet’s commitment to enhancing outreach efforts, aiming to bridge existing gaps in disseminating weather information to farmers and the broader public.
Anosike reiterated the importance of building a robust agricultural database through engaging directly with farmers and the media. He emphasized NiMets dedication to providing timely, accurate, and actionable weather information to support informed decision-making and enhance agricultural resilience nationwide.
However, amidst these collaborative efforts, NiMet issued a warning of impending thunderstorms in 20 states, including Kogi, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Lagos. This caution emphasises the ongoing need for proactive measures and effective dissemination of weather forecasts to safeguard lives and livelihoods across Nigeria.
By leveraging NiMets Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), farmers will have access to crucial weather information necessary for making informed decisions in their agricultural activities. This initiative implies a shift towards proactive agricultural practices, where farmers can anticipate weather patterns, optimize planting periods, and mitigate potential losses caused by adverse weather conditions such as dry spells.
Additionally, Anosikes commitment to enhancing outreach efforts and building a robust agricultural database signifies a proactive approach towards bridging existing gaps in disseminating weather information. This implies an acknowledgment of the need for effective communication channels to ensure that farmers receive timely and accurate weather forecasts. By engaging directly with farmers and the media, NiMet aims to empower stakeholders with the knowledge and resources necessary to make climate-resilient decisions, thereby enhancing agricultural resilience at the grassroot level.
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The Nigerian Observer is a daily newspaper published in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, since 1968 by the Bendel Newspapers Company Limited (BNCL) and is owned by the Edo State Government
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