The Kwara State Government has sensitized farmers on the importance of accessing and utilizing weather data for effective crop management under the Kwara Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) project.
Speaking on Friday during a workshop in Afon, Asa Local Government Area, Dr. Isiaka Busari, Project Coordinator of Kwara SAPZ, emphasized the need for farmers to adapt to changing weather conditions.
He noted that climate patterns have shifted significantly over the years, making data-driven farming essential.
The workshop, organized for Women’s Agricultural Cooperatives and Women’s Small and Medium Enterprises, focused on climate-smart agricultural technologies.
“It is crucial for farmers to rely on accurate weather data from credible sources.
Adopting recommendations from authorized agencies like the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and integrating modern agricultural technologies will greatly benefit farmers,” Busari stated.
Represented by the Project Livestock Specialist, Mr. Abdulfatah Ambali, Busari reiterated the government’s commitment to minimizing agricultural losses. He stressed that climate-responsive farming should remain a priority in the implementation of the SAPZ initiative.
He further explained that the SAPZ program aims to strengthen food security and reduce poverty in the state.
During a technical session, resource person Mr. Gbadebo Elebiyo identified factors such as declining soil moisture, methane emissions, irregular rainfall patterns, and wind speed variations as key challenges that need to be addressed using agricultural technology.
Similarly, Mr. Bakare Abdulrazaq from NiMet’s Weather Observation Department guided farmers on how to access and utilize weather data for improved crop management.