In a bid to strengthen the capacity of agricultural stakeholders to adapt to climate variability and build resilience within food systems in Nigeria, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) organised a virtual training on seasonal climate forecasts. About 300 participants from across Nigeria and several African countries actively engaged in the training.
The training targeted farmers, extension agents, researchers, agribusiness actors, and public sector officials, equipping them with the skills to interpret and apply climate data for improved agricultural planning and risk management.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, the Executive Secretary of HEDA Resource Centre, Mr. Sulaimon Arigbabu, emphasised the urgent need to empower frontline actors in agriculture with actionable climate intelligence.
“As climate change continues to pose a serious threat to food security and livelihoods in Nigeria, it is imperative that those who produce our food understand how to interpret and act on climate forecasts,” Arigbabu stated.
“This training was not just about data; it was about survival, resilience, and smarter decisions. We believe that democratising access to climate information will lead to better outcomes in agricultural productivity, disaster preparedness, and community well-being,” he added.
The training featured expert contributions from key national agencies, including the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), which provided practical sessions on climate patterns, flood risk assessment, and their implications for agriculture and public health. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) were also on hand to enlighten participants on efforts of the government to support climate-sensitive agriculture.
Participants were divided into three thematic tracks: Cereals/Grains/Legumes, Livestock, and Tubers/Vegetables. Each track was led by specialists from major research institutions such as the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS), National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), and an aquaculture expert, Mr. Toba Tiamiyu, who provided insights into adapting fish farming to climate variability.
The session also featured sector-specific forecast presentations, group advisory development, and interactive question-and-answer engagements. Stakeholders exchanged experiences and shared best practices on how to integrate climate forecasts into their daily operations and long-term planning.
HEDA Resource Centre reaffirms its commitment to supporting climate-resilient agriculture and calls on both government and private sector actors to prioritize the dissemination and use of climate information in agricultural policies and programmes.