The collaboration between the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) focuses on utilizing NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction to guide agricultural practices in Nigeria.
During a joint press briefing on NiMet’s annual Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) in Abuja, the Minister emphasized the importance of NiMet’s forecasts in shaping Nigeria’s agriculture. He highlighted that the Seasonal Climate Prediction provides vital information about rainfall patterns, optimal planting times, duration of the growing season, and potential dry spells that could adversely affect agricultural investments if not addressed.
Kyari pointed out instances where farmers disregarded NiMet’s advice and misinterpreted rainfall patterns, leading to crop failures and economic losses. He stressed the need for farmers to leverage NiMet’s forecasts to enhance their adaptive capacity and improve agricultural productivity.
In response, Charles Anosike, the Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, and Nigeria’s permanent representative with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), acknowledged the significant collaboration between the Ministry and NiMet. He highlighted the importance of such partnerships in advancing climate resilience and agricultural sustainability in Nigeria.
He emphasized that key sectors of the economy, including aviation, maritime, and agriculture, have increasingly depended on NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction, typically released in the first quarter of the year. He underscored the reliability of these predictions, as evidenced by the growing reliance on the weather advisories provided within them.
The Director General of NiMet expressed a desire to enhance the agricultural database of farmers through formal engagements with farmers and the media. However, he acknowledged significant gaps in the dissemination of information.
“Our aim is to ensure that timely, accurate, and actionable weather and climate information reaches as many Nigerians as possible as part of NiMet’s Early Warning Drive,” Professor Anosike emphasized.
He continued, “Achieving food security necessitates consistent collaboration with all stakeholders. While the Seasonal Climate Predictions are being realized, the challenge lies in disseminating the information to over 70 million farmers in Nigeria. Farmers must be empowered with information and other resources to make climate-resilient decisions.”
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, NiMet issued warnings of impending thunderstorms in 20 states, including Kogi, the FCT, and Lagos States.
Additional states affected by the weather advisory include Oyo, Kwara, Ogun, Ekiti, Akure, Edo, Nasarawa, Benue, Ebonyi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Taraba, Rivers, Delta, Enugu, and Bayelsa, respectively.
In its weather forecast released on April 14, 2024, and shared on its official Twitter page, NiMet cautioned that cloudiness with intervals of sunshine is anticipated over the North and Central States, while the South is expected to experience cloudy conditions.
