VCDP, NiMet Partner to Provide Weather Forecasts to Nigerian Farmers in Local Languages

News in Brief

• -The VCDP and NiMet collaboration now delivers localised weather forecasts to farmers in nine Nigerian states, using local languages, supporting climate-smart agricultural decisions.
• -Under the ASAP grant, 45 beneficiaries in Niger State received modern agricultural equipment, boosting youth employment and improving farming efficiency.

The Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) has partnered with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to provide daily weather forecasts to smallholder farmers using local languages. This initiative, starting in nine Nigerian States, aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change and increase crop productivity in these areas.

The states benefiting from this intervention include Niger, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Taraba, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu.

Dr Fati Aliyu, the National Coordinator of VCDP, revealed this initiative during the graduation ceremony of youth fabricators and the distribution of specialised agricultural equipment under the Adaptation for Smallholders Agriculture Programme (ASAP) grant in Minna, Niger State.

Through the partnership, mini weather stations have been established in local government areas within the states, delivering weather information in local languages to help farmers make timely and informed agricultural decisions.

Climate-Smart Farming Solution for Nigerian Smallholder Farmers

Dr Aliyu highlighted that the ASAP grant has also facilitated the distribution of critical equipment such as cassava peel conversion machines, rice husk briquette machines, solar-powered irrigation water pumps, power tillers, laptops, and phones for climate data access to 45 beneficiaries across nine local government areas in Niger State.

The grant targets 24,000 farmers in two states—19,000 in Niger (including women) and 5,000 in Kogi—under initiatives promoting climate-resilient planting materials, soil conservation, waste-to-wealth projects, improved water access, and renewable energy solutions.

“Youth training in fabricating agricultural machinery is a key component, equipping them with skills to foster employment and support sustainable farming,” Dr Aliyu added.

Niger State Government Lauds Initiative

The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, praised the programme, describing it as an important boost to the state’s agricultural transformation efforts. He assured ongoing support from the state government and congratulated the agricultural equipment trainees.

Engr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, represented by Mohammed Bashir Abdulkadir, emphasised that empowering youth with practical skills strengthens Nigeria’s agricultural machinery ecosystem.

The State Coordinator of VCDP, Hajiya Hadizat Isah, expressed gratitude to the Niger State government for its support and urged the timely release of counterpart funding for 2025.

Dr Ahmed Matthew, Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Agriculture, noted that the distributed equipment would encourage youth participation in agriculture and help farmers minimise post-harvest losses.

Other stakeholders, including representatives from NAMDA, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Minna Green House, local government officials, and the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), lauded the initiative as a driver for growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.