In a bid to boost farmers’ production and improve their knowledge on climate-smart agriculture, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has organized a workshop on seasonal climate prediction (SCP) for farmers and agricultural stakeholders.
The Head of Climate Services Unit (NiMet), Mr. Adeleke Oyegade, while presenting the national forecast at the workshop in Ogun State, stated that SCP is an invaluable tool that is capable of ameliorating the unpleasant consequences of extreme weather and climate events.
NiMet is charged with the responsibility of advising the government and people of Nigeria on all aspects of weather and climate. It gives the outlook of various meteorology variables, such as rainfall and temperature patterns, in Nigeria every year.
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The agency observes and analyzes to give a timely and accurate report of weather and climate information in support of national and international obligations for socio-economic development and the safety of lives and property.
Oyegade highlighted the content of the SCP to include the following: rainfall onset dates, rainfall cessation dates, rainfall amounts, length of growing season, temperature, dry spells, little dry season (LDS), crop calendar, malaria forecast, and meningitis forecast.
According to him, the 2023 forecast for Ogun states a “little dry season” (August break) with a severe, moderate, and mild dry set, adding that the dry set is expected to start on the 21st of June with an average length of 16 days.
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He disclosed that the annual rainfall in the northern part of the state is 1530 mm, while the one for the southern part is 1980mm, and that the length of the growing season varies between 132 and 190 days.
He concluded that good knowledge of climate and weather is very much needed in every sector of the economy to reduce climate-related risks, enhance production, security, and revenue generation.
