Federal Government has concluded plans to develop a dedicated telephone line for farmers and rural communities across the country to access text messages on seasonal climate predictions.
Director General of the Nigerian Meterological Agency, Professor Mansur Matazu stated this at a one day mid – season workshop for agriculture stakeholders in Lafia the Nasarawa State capital.
The Director General, represented by Chief Meterologist Agriculture, Mr James Adamu said NiMet would continue to engage relevant organizations in ensuring that farmers especially at the rural areas have access to information on seasonal climate predictions.
He stated that by 2023 NiMet would migrate from mobile applications to short messages services to allow Farmers who do not have android phones access the information on climate and weather predictions.
National President, Association of Small Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria, Mr Joshua Jonathan stressed the need for government at all levels to step up efforts in creating more awareness for farmers behavioral change towards seasonal climate predictions.
Executive Secretary,Human and Environmental Development Agenda, one of the organizers of the workshop, Mr Sulaimon Arigbabu called on farmers to add value to agriculture by paying maximum attention to climate predictions from relevant agencies.
The workshop featured question and answer sessions as well as sharing of experiences arising from the 2022 weather predictions.