The translation of meteorological data into actionable insights enables farmers to make climate-smart decisions with confidence and resilience. Professor Charles Anosike, the Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), emphasized this point during a recent event. He spoke at a Chief Executive Officers breakfast session on October 16, 2024, held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. Themed “Elevating the Role of Data and Information in the National Food Security Conversation,” the event was organized by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG).
During his address, Professor Anosike highlighted that climate change increasingly threatens food systems. Additionally, he noted that the effects on food security are especially severe in developing countries. Given that many farmers rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture, he stressed the importance of empowering farmers with weather and climate information. By doing so, farmers can better mitigate and adapt to the complexities of climate change and make informed decisions confidently.
Moreover, Professor Anosike affirmed that NiMet delivers timely data-driven solutions to address contemporary climate issues and boost agricultural productivity. He stated, “In recent times, we have seen the effect of climate change in Africa and across the world. The global climate system presents significant complexity and one institution or country cannot control or manage it.” To influence the climate system effectively, he argued that understanding its behavior is essential, and that is where meteorology plays a crucial role. Meteorology provides the necessary climate science and data to support disaster response and climate change adaptation.
Furthermore, he mentioned that climate change can adversely affect soil fertility and spread plant pests and diseases. He underscored the vital role of meteorological and climatological data as integral elements of national food systems data and information tools. “Climate data produces various forecasts, from seasonal to sub-seasonal and short-range, impacting agricultural production systems throughout the value chain.” He explained that using this data to predict critical seasonal components is essential for agriculture, including the onset and projected end of the season, rainfall amounts, season length, and predicted dry spells.
In conclusion, Professor Anosike reiterated that meteorological and climatological data are crucial components of national food systems data. Their impact on agricultural productivity, risk assessment for food security initiatives, supply chain management, and research development efforts is significant. He emphasized that integrating these datasets enables stakeholders, including farmers and policymakers, make informed decisions. Furthermore, the decisions strengthen resilience against climate variability and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Dr. Audu Grema, Senior Programme Officer for Agriculture at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, commended NiMet for its collaborative efforts. He acknowledged the agency’s initiatives in predictive analysis, offering early warning signals, and ensuring industry best practices essential for effective development planning.
