Farmers ‘ll take advantage of seasonal climate prediction – Agric Minister
As Nigeria prepares for the upcoming rainy season, the federal government has reinforced its commitment to ensuring that farmers benefit from timely climate intelligence. The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, has emphasized the strategic importance of the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), recently presented by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in Abuja.
The SCP, which provides weather forecasts and climate insights, is positioned as a critical tool for agricultural planning. It enables farmers, policymakers, and agribusiness stakeholders to make informed decisions that mitigate climate risks and enhance productivity. With climate variability posing ongoing threats to food production and economic stability, the government is prioritizing climate-smart agriculture and integrating early warning systems into farming practices.
According to the Minister, the Tinubu-led administration has designated the Office of the Presidential Special Envoy on Climate Action as the lead negotiator on climate-related matters. This move is expected to foster stronger coordination of climate initiatives across various federal ministries.
Impact on Agriculture and Food Security
Senator Abdullahi highlighted the SCP as an essential advisory tool that, when effectively utilized, will strengthen farmers’ adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change. Given that smallholder farmers constitute over 70% of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce, leveraging SCP data will help improve productivity and reduce challenges such as hunger, food insecurity, malnutrition, and dependence on food imports.
He further noted that in Q1 2024, the agricultural sector contributed 17.22% to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), reinforcing the sector’s role in economic development. With enhanced climate intelligence, women’s participation in agriculture, environmental sustainability, and employment generation are also expected to increase.
The Minister commended the collaboration between NiMet and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, reaffirming the government’s commitment to early warning systems, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable food production.
Source: Vanguard
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) represents a strategic opportunity for agribusiness stakeholders to reduce climate risks and optimize agricultural output. Given Nigeria’s vulnerability to erratic weather patterns, access to site-specific climate forecasts will allow farmers to plan their planting schedules, input applications, and harvesting more effectively.
Key Takeaways for Stakeholders:
- Risk Mitigation: Farmers and agribusiness investors must leverage SCP data to make climate-informed decisions, reducing losses from unpredictable weather events such as droughts and floods.
- Market Stability: Enhanced productivity through SCP-driven farming strategies will contribute to more stable food supplies, reducing price volatility in agricultural markets.
- Policy Alignment: The prioritization of climate intelligence by the federal government signals a policy shift towards climate-smart agriculture, presenting opportunities for agritech firms and agricultural extension services.
- Investment in Climate-Smart Technologies: Stakeholders should explore digital tools, precision farming, and data-driven agronomy solutions to maximize the benefits of climate forecasting.
- Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture: With SCP’s impact on improved farming outcomes, targeted initiatives for women in agriculture can drive inclusive economic growth.
To fully harness the benefits of the SCP, effective dissemination and farmer education must be prioritized. The private sector, including agribusiness firms, cooperatives, and financial institutions, should collaborate with government agencies to ensure that smallholder farmers have access to timely, localized climate insights and the resources needed to adapt.
This strategic alignment between climate intelligence and agricultural planning will be a key driver in achieving food security, economic resilience, and a thriving agri-food sector in Nigeria.
