•Agency predicts three days of downpour in 14 states
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), and development partners are pushing for a unified action to drive collective strategies for combating the continent’s climate crisis.
The stakeholders announced this yesterday in Abuja at a conference with the theme: Climate Resilience in Action: Collaborative Approaches to Adaptation, co-hosted by the AATF, Michigan State University, and Sahel Consulting.
AATF’s Executive Director, Dr. Canacius Kanangire, said the initiative, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, addresses the urgent need for climate resilience among the often-overlooked but vital agricultural players.
The project, the executive director said, equips MSMEs Climate Smart Decision Support System to improve their livelihoods and provide climate resilience information to guide their farming decision-making.
In alignment with the vision, he said the AATF was partnering with Michigan State University, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Benue State University, the Government of Gombe State, and the Cereal Growers Association of Kenya on a project that focuses on women and youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the rice value chain.
Kanangire, who was represented by Dr. Kayode Sanni, said: “The project equips MSMEs Climate Smart Decision Support System to improve their livelihoods and provide climate resilience information, to guide their farming decision making.
Read Also: 2024/25 season: Nigerian strikers who won golden boots
“In addition, knowledge on the linking of good agronomic practices, soil health, and the practical application of climate and weather data to increase productivity and secure livelihoods is essential.
“The current financial support is for three states in Nigeria and there is a need for scaling out of the pockets of location to broader level for greater impact.”
NiMet’s Director-General, Prof. Charles Anosike, emphasised the integration of climate considerations into all levels of development planning.
He said: “Currently, over 60 per cent of weather data in the region is collated manually, often by non-specialists. We must expand our network of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and adopt digital tools, including mobile-based early warning systems, to better support farmers.”
An Assistant Professor at Michigan State University and lead on weather station development, Daniel Uyeh, said the institution in the last few months had worked tirelessly to build an open-source, affordable, and adaptable weather station system with the realities of Africa in mind.
Also, NiMet has predicted three days of moderate to heavy rainfall in 14 states across Nigeria.
The states predicted to experience downpours are: Bayelsa, Rivers, parts of Delta, Ondo, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Imo, Abia, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Niger.
The forecast period, according to the heavy rainfall forecast bulletin by the agency, will happen from today till to Friday, May 30.
The agency said strong winds may accompany the rains, adding that there are prospects of flash flooding as a result of the expected moderate to heavy rainfall.
It advised the public not to drive through surface runoff waters as they have strong undercurrents.
Other likely hazards, NiMet warned, are slippery road surfaces and reduced visibility during the rains, which can disrupt road traffic.