The Director Common and Chief Government Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Company (NiMet), and the Everlasting Consultant of Nigeria to the World Meteorological Group (WMO), Professor Charles Anosike, has mentioned that an efficient early warning system that gives farmers with the data of climate patterns and seasonality, forecasting may enhance meals safety and guarantee enough safety in opposition to local weather disasters.
Professor Anosike spoke as a panelist on the launch of the USAID International Meals Safety Technique Nation Plan in Abuja on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The panel mentioned the position of growth companions and Nigerian MDAs in making certain meals safety.
Professor Anosike mentioned Nigeria is at present going through meals safety challenges that require new pondering by integrating climate and climate-related elements throughout the agricultural worth chain. Professor Anosike says: “NiMet is working with companions to mainstream climate and local weather data into the agricultural worth chain. We use a co-production mechanism to facilitate our seasonal local weather prediction. NiMet ensures applicable understanding and use of climate data by stakeholders to enhance planning and strategic decision-making. Our annual Seasonal Local weather Prediction (SCP) is an early warning device for local weather motion that gives an outlook on climate and local weather variability over the approaching months of the 12 months. It highlights rainfall patterns and temperature variations.”
Talking additional, Professor Anosike mentioned; “Unpredictable rainfall patterns and excessive occasions can result in competitors for meals and water. Declining agricultural manufacturing can result in earnings losses and worsen meals insecurity. Temperature adjustments have an effect on crop progress and yield, and may destroy crops throughout ending and transportation.”
“We should step up our collective efforts with a deliberate and intentional technique to advance the local weather – sensible farming and investing in preparedness, and enhance the responsiveness of our smallholder farmers. Local weather change might not be the one supply of our issues, however local weather change is the 'menace multiplier' because it will increase useful resource shortage and will increase meals insecurity,” concluded Professor Anosike.
