… training covers climate-smart practices to mitigate impact of weather variability for program sustainability
The Federal Government of Nigeria and the International Fund for Agricultural Development -supported Value Chain Development Programme has organized a training on downscaling of the 2025 NiMET’s seasonal climate prediction and preseason training for VCDP field staff, farmers and processors in the nine participating states.
The two-day Training of Trainers (ToT) hosted in collaboration with the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) will help rural farmers build resilience to the adverse consequences of climate change using innovative climate smart technologies.
Speaking, Mr Nura Lawal, Environment and Climate Change Specialist, IFAD VCDP, explained that the project partnered with NiMET to ensure farmers have access to climate information and at the same time promote a sustainable climate smart approach.
“We are here conducting the preseason training to prepare our agents and officers on how to train farmers on adoption of hands-on skills to guide their farming operations throughout the year.”
Lawal, who highlighted challenges posed by climate change, said “With the dwindling climate patterns we have in the country, a lot of farmers face significant threats in terms of climate disasters.
“This training aims to equip farmers with expertise on enhancing productivity, leading to improved food security. It focuses on downscaling the 2025 Nimet Seasonal Climate Prediction, providing participants with critical information to guide their farming operations.
Furthermore, the environment expert said, at the end of the workshop, each participating state is expected to develop a public calendar outlining key activities for farmers.
“This training session is crucial in helping farmers adapt to climate change. Information that will be gathered here will help mitigate any of these climate issues.
“As of March 2025, over 101,099 farmers have been trained and accessing climate information services from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) over the past four years,” he added.
On his part, Ahmed Aboki, Principal Meteorologist, NiMET, informed that rain is expected to start in the southern part (April) and later in the Northern part (May) of Nigeria.
Specifically, for Anambra state he said, “onset is anticipated to start on 21st March in the Ihiala and Ogbaru Local Government Areas (LGAs). Places around Orumba North, Onitsha North, Awka South, Dunukofia, Oyi, Njikoka, Awka North and their environs are likely to be from 25th March to 29th of March. The northern parts of the state such as the northern parts of Ayamelum, Anambra West and East are anticipated to be later from 29th of March.
“The length of the growing season is predicted to vary between 237 and 254 days. Ayamelum is predicted to have the shortest length of growing season of 237 days while Ogbaru and Ihiala from the southern part of the state are expected to have the longest length of growing season of above 252 days.
“The growing season for 2025 is predicted to end from 24th November to 30th November. The earliest cessation is expected to be from 24th November around Ayamelum and Anambra East LGA while the latest is from 30th November in Ihiala LGA.”
He ,therefore, urged lead farmers who benefitted from the training, not to keep weather information to themselves but ensure they help other smallholder farmers around them.
One of the beneficiaries who spoke to AgroNigeria, Suzanne Acanga from Benue state, a Rice farmer and processor, narrated how she almost lost all her investment due to change in weather pattern in 2024.
According to her, she planted in anticipation of rain, which didn’t come, describing it as a waste of time, effort and resources.
“But now, I know better, I am now an informed farmer. I know when to start planting, when rain will come, when it will cease, the weather pattern in my state and my farm location.”
Suzanne, however, commended IFAD-VCDP for organizing such training adding that it will help many farmers beat climate change challenges.
Professor Muhammed Haruna Ibrahim, Nasarawa State University, also engaged beneficiaries in training sessions that covered a range of topics, including soil management techniques, crop rotation strategies, pest and disease management, and the use of efficient irrigation methods.
AgroNigeria gathered that as a result of increased demand for weather information, farmers now discuss weather reports and forecasts via group messages on WhatsApp, which supplements the NiMET’s App and traditional weather radio reports.
Farmers learnt about the latest advancements in agricultural technology and equipment, as well as climate-smart practices to mitigate the impact of weather variability.
