The Minister of state Aviation Hadi Sirika said federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has made concerted efforts to revive the Agricultural sector as a way of diversifying the nation’s economy, increasing revenue sources, and to discourage the our over-dependence on revenue generated from sales of crude Oil.
At the 2019 seasonal rainfall prediction (SRP), he said by so doing, more job opportunities are being created and more food made available for all citizens.
According to him, Agriculture and Food security are closely linked to weather and climate conditions as productivity depends on their interplay.
He said this is because adverse weather and climate conditions directly affect agricultural productivity, livelihoods, water security, land use, agricultural marketing systems, market instability, food prices, trade and economic policies and small holder farmers, livestock herders and forest dependent communities are often highly vulnerable to these impacts.
He said “Impacts of climate variability and change are evident to all of us, as manifested, even recently in the 2018 rainy season in Nigeria.
“ Many states were subjected to floods and severe storms with attendant loss of lives and properties.
“The weather and climate information being produced by NiMet is therefore critical for combating Climate Change through adaptation and mitigation strategies,” he said.
Also, Director General of NiMet Prof Sani Abubakar Mashi said Nigeria is expected to experience late onset is expected to have an impact on the timing of the end of the growing season .
The DG said the cessation dates are expected to be from 29th September around the north-western parts of the country.
