By Faridat Salifu
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has launched a capacity-building programme for agricultural extension officers to improve the delivery of climate information to farmers, as part of efforts to strengthen climate-smart agriculture and build resilience against extreme weather.
The initiative, a 10-day Training of Trainers workshop on Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension (CRMAE), is being held in Abuja from July 6 to July 17 in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).
The programme forms part of an Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)-supported initiative aimed at enhancing digital climate advisory services and strengthening climate-resilient agricultural systems in selected African countries.
Speaking at the opening, NiMet Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Charles Anosike, said agricultural extension officers play a crucial role in translating weather forecasts and climate data into practical guidance that enables farmers to make informed production decisions.
He noted that as climate variability intensifies, extension providers must be equipped with the knowledge and tools to help farmers respond to challenges such as erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, flooding, heat stress and pest outbreaks.
According to Anosike, the Nigeria-adapted Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum has been developed to enable advisory service providers to integrate climate information into routine support for smallholder farmers.
He explained that strengthening extension services would improve farmers’ access to climate advisories on planting dates, crop selection, soil and water conservation, input application and disaster preparedness.
“The training-of-trainers model will expand the reach of climate services by enabling participants to transfer knowledge to extension platforms, farmer organisations, cooperatives and rural communities across the country,” he said.
Anosike reaffirmed NiMet’s commitment to delivering weather and climate services that support early warning systems, agricultural planning and climate risk management across weather-sensitive sectors.
He urged participants to actively engage in the training, build professional networks and apply the knowledge gained to improve advisory services for farming communities.
Also speaking, ILRI representative Kelvi Shikuku commended NiMet for advancing climate services in Nigeria, while lead facilitator from the Stockholm Environment Institute, Tufa Dinku, expressed confidence in the agency’s ability to coordinate nationwide implementation of the curriculum.
The workshop is expected to strengthen agricultural extension systems and improve farmers’ resilience to climate change by enhancing the delivery of timely, science-based climate information across Nigeria.
