By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), in partnership with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Sasakawa Africa Association and other stakeholders, has concluded a 10-day Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension (CRMAE) Training of Trainers workshop aimed at strengthening climate-smart agriculture in Nigeria.
The workshop, which ended in Abuja, brought together agricultural extension professionals to enhance their capacity to deliver climate-informed advisory services to farmers, with the goal of improving agricultural productivity, resilience to climate change and national food security.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, described agricultural extension officers as the vital link between climate services and farmers, noting that they play a critical role in translating weather and climate information into practical guidance on planting dates, crop selection and water management.
He said the training reflects the shared commitment of NiMet and its partners to making climate information more accessible, understandable and useful to farmers across the country.
According to Anosike, the Nigeria-adapted Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum will equip extension personnel with the skills needed to provide climate-informed advisory services capable of increasing agricultural productivity by 20 to 30 per cent while reducing farmers’ vulnerability to climate-related shocks.
He urged participants to replicate the knowledge gained through extension networks, farmer groups, cooperatives and rural communities, stressing that the programme’s success would be measured by improved livelihoods, stronger climate resilience and enhanced food security.
The NiMet boss also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to institutionalizing and promoting the widespread adoption of the Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum as part of efforts to strengthen climate services for agriculture nationwide.
Also speaking, Dr. Esther Ibrahim, Programme Officer at AGRA Nigeria, who represented the AGRA Country Director, described climate risk management as an indispensable component of modern agricultural extension. She encouraged participants to apply the knowledge acquired during the training to provide farmers with timely, reliable and actionable climate information to support informed decision-making and climate-resilient farming.
The closing ceremony was attended by representatives of partner organisations, including ILRI, SEI, Sasakawa Africa Association and the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The workshop ended with the presentation of certificates to participants, who are expected to train other extension officers and farming communities across the country, helping to bridge the gap between climate science and on-farm decision-making while boosting farmers’ resilience to climate risks.
