NiMet, NIRSAL forge alliance to enhance agricultural productivity across Nigeria
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc) have unveiled plans for a collaborative effort aimed at bolstering agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
The partnership announcement came after a high-level meeting held on Wednesday, 14th February, 2024, at the headquarters of NIRSAL Plc in Abuja.
Present at the meeting were Professor Charles Anosike, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, and Abbas Umar Masanawa, OON, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIRSAL.
Expressing the urgency of climate action, Professor Anosike stressed the importance of collaboration among key stakeholders to invest in preparedness and provide early warnings of climate disasters to safeguard smallholder farmers.
He emphasised NiMet’s commitment to leveraging its data and expertise to support effective planning for farmers.
“The urgency of climate action requires that critical stakeholders collaborate, invest in preparedness and ensure that smallholder farmers are protected by early warnings of climate disaster.
“NiMet is keen on exploring opportunities for both NiMet and NIRSAL to partner in de-risking agriculture. With the work that NiMet does and the data it generates on a daily basis, this will help farmers to plan effectively and efficiently,” remarked Professor Anosike.
Highlighting the significant impact of climate change on agricultural activities and yields, Professor Anosike underscored the necessity of adopting data-driven farming practices to mitigate risks along the agricultural value chain.
In response, Abbas Umar Masanawa commended NiMet for its contributions not only to the aviation sector but also to various economic sectors, particularly agriculture.
He expressed NIRSAL’s keen interest in partnering with NiMet to support smallholder farmers in enhancing productivity, aligning with NIRSAL’s mandate.
Masanawa emphasised the importance of collaboration with NiMet in amplifying primary production efforts, citing the vulnerability of farmers to climate-related risks.
He also lauded NiMet’s initiative in disseminating weather and climate data in local Nigerian languages, ensuring broader accessibility and comprehension.
To expedite the operationalisation of their collaborative endeavors, Masanawa announced the establishment of a technical committee comprising experts from NiMet and NIRSAL.
This committee will focus on areas such as training, data sharing, and the establishment of weather stations to benefit Nigerians and smallholder farmers alike.
“A technical committee will be set up for the benefit of Nigerians and small holder farmers, drawn from experts from NiMet and NIRSAL to operationalize quickly the various areas of interest including but not limited to training, data sharing, setting up weather stations, etc”, Masanawa disclosed.
He reiterated the commitment of both organisations to swiftly implement their collaborative initiatives for the advancement of agricultural productivity and resilience across Nigeria.
