Nigerian Farmers to Benefit from Landmark Climate Partnership
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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has partnered with the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) to mitigate the impact of climate-related disasters on smallholder farmers across the country. The collaboration, unveiled on Monday, aims to enhance agricultural resilience by ensuring farmers have direct access to vital weather and climate information.
NiMet’s Director-General, Charles Anosike, hailed the partnership as a significant milestone in boosting food production and safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods.
“I commend WOFAN for the remarkable work they have done since 1993, building a network of nearly 700,000 farmers engaged in community-driven agricultural projects,” Anosike said. “This partnership is one of my proudest achievements because of the direct positive impact it will have on agricultural yields in Nigeria.”
Timely intervention amid climate uncertainty
The initiative follows NiMet’s recent release of its Seasonal Climate Prediction for 2025, which outlines anticipated weather patterns and potential risks for farmers. Anosike emphasised the urgency of ensuring that weather data reaches those who need it most.
“Nigeria’s agriculture is largely rain-fed. Our work at NiMet is incomplete if farmers and other stakeholders do not receive timely and actionable weather information,” he explained. “With this partnership, we can engage farmers before the onset of the rains, helping them mitigate risks, manage pests, and improve overall productivity. Crucially, it also allows us to gather direct feedback from farmers on the effectiveness of our forecasts.”
A lifeline for smallholder farmers
WOFAN’s founder, Salamatu Garba, welcomed the partnership, highlighting its potential to strengthen climate-smart farming practices.
“For years, we have relied on NiMet’s data from secondary sources. This collaboration gives us direct access to critical climate information, enabling us to better support farmers in adapting to changing weather patterns,” Garba said.
As climate change continues to pose significant challenges to Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the partnership between NiMet and WOFAN represents a proactive step towards safeguarding food security and rural livelihoods. By ensuring that weather intelligence reaches those on the frontlines of food production, the initiative offers hope for a more resilient farming community in the years ahead.
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