Nigerian Airline agency in partnership with agric related matters

Nigeria

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) have announced a partnership aimed at advancing climate-resilient agriculture in Nigeria. 

This collaboration was cemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at NiMet’s headquarters yesterday in Abuja. 

A statement by NiMet says, the agreement sets a promising path for the development and deployment of climate-smart technologies and services that will help Nigerian farmers adapt to changing weather patterns and sustain agricultural productivity.

At the heart of the partnership is the shared vision to harness accurate and timely meteorological data to bolster agriculture’s resilience to climate change. 

Prof. Charles Anosike, NiMet’s Director General and CEO, highlighted the critical role the agency plays in delivering dependable weather and climate information. He stressed that the MoU enables NiMet to leverage its meteorological expertise while collaborating with AATF to develop solutions that directly benefit farmers nationwide.

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation, represented by its Regional Director, Dr. Jean Baptiste Tignegre, mirrors this commitment to innovation. Dr. Tignegre underscored the foundation’s mission to dismantle barriers limiting smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa from accessing transformative agricultural technologies. He reiterated that the partnership with NiMet is a strategic move that will empower Nigerian farmers to manage climate risks better and boost food security across the country.

Central to the agreement is the joint effort to create climate-smart weather tools specifically designed for women- and youth-led micro, small, and medium-sized agricultural enterprises (MSMEs). These tools aim to provide actionable climate and weather data that enable farmers and agricultural businesses to make informed decisions, optimizing their productivity despite fluctuating climatic conditions.

Beyond tool development, the MoU also prioritizes capacity building as a core function of the collaboration. Both NiMet and AATF will work together to deliver training programs and technical support, equipping farmers and agricultural stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to utilize climate-smart agricultural technologies effectively. This support will facilitate adaptation strategies that reduce vulnerability to climate extremes.

Additionally, the agreement outlines collaboration on technical support for selected project locations around Nigeria, ensuring that innovations and knowledge dissemination reach the areas most impacted by climate change. By focusing on targeted regions, the partnership seeks to generate scalable impact and model best practices for climate resilience in agriculture.

The partnership also includes joint efforts to identify and secure funding for climate-smart technology initiatives. By pooling resources and expertise, NiMet and AATF aim to maximize investments in sustainable agriculture projects that promote food security, improve livelihoods, and sustain Nigeria’s agricultural value chains amid a changing climate.

The MoU, which will remain in effect until January 31, 2028, formalizes a transparent framework for joint planning and project implementation. This collaboration underscores both organizations’ unwavering dedication to enhancing farmers’ resilience to climate change, fortifying Nigeria’s agricultural economy, and contributing to the broader goal of achieving sustainable food security nationwide.