By Paul Joseph
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, held in Abuja, brought together agricultural extension professionals to enhance their capacity to deliver climate-informed advisory services that will help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns and improve productivity.
The closing ceremony on Friday was chaired by NiMet’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Charles Anosike, and attended by Dr. Esther Ibrahim, Programme Officer, AGRA Nigeria, representing the AGRA Country Director; Mr. Pierre Sibiry, ILRI Representative; Dr. Jim Hansen, Resource Person; Dr. Godwin Atser, Country Director of the Sasakawa Africa Association; and Dr. Victoria Pillah of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Speaking at the event, Prof. Anosike described agricultural extension officers as the vital bridge between climate information providers and farmers, stressing their role in translating weather and climate forecasts into practical farming decisions such as planting dates, crop selection and water management.
He said the training demonstrates the shared commitment of NiMet and its development partners to ensuring that climate information is accessible, understandable and useful to farming communities across the country.
According to him, the Nigeria-adapted Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum will equip extension officers with the knowledge and skills required to provide effective climate advisory services.
Prof. Anosike noted that evidence shows localized, climate-smart extension services can increase agricultural productivity by between 20 and 30 per cent while reducing farmers’ exposure to climate-related shocks.
He urged participants to transfer the knowledge acquired during the workshop through extension networks, cooperatives, farmer groups and rural communities, adding that the true measure of the programme’s success would be improved farmer livelihoods, stronger climate resilience and enhanced national food security.
The NiMet DG also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to institutionalising and expanding the Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum as part of broader efforts to strengthen climate services for agriculture and support Nigeria’s food security agenda.
Delivering the closing remarks on behalf of the AGRA Country Director, Dr. Esther Ibrahim described climate risk management as an indispensable component of modern agricultural extension.
She encouraged participants to put the skills gained during the training into practice by providing farmers with timely, reliable and actionable climate information that will support better decision-making and build resilient agricultural systems.
The workshop concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants, who are expected to replicate the training within extension networks and farming communities, helping to bridge the gap between climate science and on-farm decision-making while improving resilience to climate-related risks across Nigeria.
Leave a Reply