Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the installation of three agro-meteorological stations across the state to strengthen climate-smart livestock production, improve weather monitoring and enhance resilience against climate change.
The initiative, to be implemented under the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, is expected to provide farmers, researchers and policymakers with real-time climate data to support informed agricultural decision-making.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Ado Ekiti, describing the project as another step in the state government’s commitment to deploying technology and innovation to transform the agricultural sector.
According to him, the stations will be located at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Complex in Ado Ekiti, the State Agricultural Development Programme Complex in Ikole Ekiti, and the Faculty of Agriculture, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti.
Boluwade said the inclusion of the university completed the strategic distribution of the stations across Ekiti’s three major agro-ecological zones—Savannah, Derived Savannah and Forest—allowing for broader climate monitoring, agricultural planning and research across the state.
He explained that the facilities would generate real-time information on key weather variables, including rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind speed and solar radiation, providing critical climate intelligence for livestock farmers, extension workers, veterinary professionals, researchers and government agencies.
The commissioner noted that access to accurate weather data would support pasture management, water resource planning, disease surveillance and climate risk management, while improving productivity throughout the livestock value chain.
He added that the stations would also strengthen the state’s early warning system for extreme weather events, enabling faster responses to climate-related threats, improving evidence-based planning and reducing the vulnerability of livestock production to changing weather patterns.
Boluwade said the initiative underscores Governor Oyebanji’s commitment to building a modern, technology-driven agricultural sector capable of meeting the challenges of climate change while enhancing food production.
He added that the project aligns with the broader objectives of the L-PRES programme to improve livestock productivity, strengthen climate resilience and promote sustainable livestock development, expressing confidence that it would improve food security, create better livelihood opportunities and further position Ekiti as a leader in climate-smart agriculture.
