VCDP urges farmers to usitilise weather forecasts
The Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has encouraged farmers in Niger State to utilize weather forecasts to enhance their agricultural practices and reduce crop losses.
This recommendation was made during a training session in Bida, where participants learned to employ the Nigerian Meteorological Agency’s (NiMet) application, smart weather readers, and solar-powered bird-scaring devices.
Mrs. Aishatu Peace Ahmed, an Environment and Climate Change Officer with the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), emphasized the importance of integrating weather information into farming strategies. She noted that accurate weather data can assist farmers in planning activities such as planting, applying fertilizers, and drying produce according to expected weather conditions.
Mr. Samuel Gana, Management Information System Officer for the VCDP in Niger State, reported that approximately 29,951 farmers receive weekly weather advisories via SMS. He acknowledged, however, that limited mobile network coverage in some areas hampers access to these updates. To address this issue, the program is also using smart weather readers and community notice boards to share vital weather information with farmers in remote locations.
Farmers Elizabeth Oladejo and Mohammed A. Idris expressed their appreciation for the training, highlighting its role in enhancing their capacity to make informed decisions based on weather patterns.
