The Digital Climate Advisory Service, DCAS initiative is reshaping how seasonal forecasts support agriculture in Nigeria. Through a five-day co-design workshop, The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), in collaboration with Tomorrow.io, is refining the system’s Decision Tree to align with the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction. This effort positions DCAS as a practical bridge between scientific forecasts and real farm decisions across the country.
The system is designed to generate automated, actionable advisories tailored to various climate scenarios, such as prolonged dry spells, delayed rainfall onset, or early seasonal rains. These advisories will empower farmers to make timely decisions about when to plant, irrigate, or harvest, helping to reduce risks associated with adverse weather and ultimately enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience.
Held from 12 to 16 February 2026, the workshop convenes officials from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development. Representatives of farmer development groups are also contributing insights. Their participation ensures that DCAS reflects field realities while integrating projections from the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction into everyday agricultural planning.
Director-General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Professor Charles Anosike, described Digital Climate Advisory Service as a game changer for rural productivity. According to him, the service simplifies complex weather data into guidance that farmers can understand and apply. Therefore, DCAS transforms technical climate forecasts into clear instructions on when to plant, irrigate or harvest.
Meanwhile, the workshop is advancing the Crop Decision Tree framework that underpins DCAS. This structure connects forecast scenarios, such as delayed rainfall onset or prolonged dry spells, with recommended farm actions. As a result, DCAS will generate automated advisories tailored to specific crops, livestock systems and ecological zones.
The integration of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction into DCAS reflects NiMet’s broader digital modernisation agenda. In recent years, the agency has strengthened partnerships and deepened engagement with global meteorological institutions, including the International Civil Aviation Organization. However, this workshop underscores a deliberate focus on community-level climate resilience.
CEO representative of Tomorrow.io, Brian Miranda, commended Professor Anosike’s leadership in advancing Digital Climate Advisory Service. He noted that the application of artificial intelligence enhances forecast interpretation and risk mapping. Consequently, DCAS is designed not only to relay information but to anticipate threats and issue early warnings in formats farmers can easily access.
In addition, participants are reviewing crop calendars and livestock cycles to ensure that DCAS advisories correspond with real production timelines. This collaborative approach strengthens the credibility of the system. By embedding local knowledge into its framework, DCAS becomes both scientifically robust and practically relevant.
The participatory design model marks a shift from top-down communication towards inclusive climate services. Farmers’ feedback is shaping the language and delivery channels of advisories. Therefore, DCAS will extend beyond printed outlook documents into mobile alerts, extension briefings and community-level engagements.
Through the Digital Climate Advisory Service, those forecasts now translate into measurable actions that can reduce crop losses and improve food security.
DCAS Anchors Digital Climate Advisory Reform
As deliberations continue, stakeholders emphasise accessibility and trust. DCAS provides a structured pathway for turning data into decisions. By aligning scientific forecasting with agricultural operations, DCAS strengthens Nigeria’s climate adaptation capacity and supports more resilient farming systems.
Ultimately, the success of the Digital Climate Advisory Service will depend on sustained collaboration, continuous data refinement and farmer engagement. However, the foundation established during this workshop signals a decisive step towards responsive, technology-driven climate advisory services. With climate variability intensifying, the system stands at the centre of Nigeria’s strategy to safeguard livelihoods and stabilise food production.
