Posted on February, 5, 2025 at 04:37 pm
The Nigerian government is certain that food security in Nigeria will be greatly improved by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s timely release of the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).
Additionally, farmers have voiced hope for a record-breaking crop in 2025.
The forecast, which was made public in Abuja on Tuesday, provides important weather trends for the forthcoming growing season, which aids in agricultural planning and decision-making.
In attendance at the launch, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, underlined the significance of the SCP for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, which continues to be a vital component of the country’s economy.
More than 70% of the workforce is employed by smallholder farmers, and the agricultural industry accounted for 17.22% of the nation’s GDP in the first quarter of 2024.
Since the majority of these farmers rely largely on rain-fed farming, they are susceptible to erratic weather patterns.
Abdullahi stated that climate intelligence and early warning systems are essential for resilience, adaptation, and economic stability. Forecasting the country’s seasonal climate is crucial for the agriculture industry. During planning, decision-making, and risk reduction, it will act as a strategic guide.
He went on to say that unpredictable weather phenomena, including droughts, floods, and unpredictable rainfall, have decreased agricultural productivity.
According to Abdullahi, “it is difficult for farmers to forecast and prepare for weather-related events because of these weather vagaries.”
The minister said, “The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is fully supporting and committed to the early warning system, climate-smart agriculture, and every development initiative to achieve food security and a resilient environment.”
He also praised the Ministry of Agriculture and NiMet’s joint efforts to integrate climate intelligence into agricultural practices.
Abdullahi also discussed the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NiMet and the Ministry for real-time SCP downscaling, which has given farmers access to helpful early warning data.
“The current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritised SCP and given the nod for the office of the Special President Envoy on Climate Action to serve as the lead negotiator on climate-related matters,” Abdullahi told reporters, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to climate action.
Source: News Central