In the effort to compliment the food sufficiency policy of the State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises, Niger Delta, (LIFE-ND), on April 9,2026, organized weather prediction training for the project beneficiaries and other stakeholders in the state.
This training is directed to enhance farmers’ decision on the right window periods for farming activities in the Local Government Areas of the state.
Addressing the participants, the State Project Coordinator, Uchenna Rowland Onyeizu, who was represented by the LIFE-ND State Agribusiness Promotion Officer, Godwin Chukwuekezie, decried the late release of weather calendar by Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, noting this delay as a major challenge affecting farmers to make informed farming decisions for bounty harvest.
Mr Godwin Chukwuekezie, the State Agribusiness Promotion Officer
To sustain the Government’s sufficient food policy, Mr Chukwuekezie called on the State Governor to intervene in late release of weather calendar by NiMet, if food sufficiency must be achieved in state.
“We’re here to tell them the window periods allowed to farm in Abia State. Each particular Local Government has a window. If they’re aware, they know when to farm and when not to, including how many circles for any crop in a year. They know when to initiative farming and when not to, because the onset and cessation of the rain are climax periods supposed to be respected”, he said.
This decision affects those both in crops and livestock farming, including the selection of crops that can interplay with the weather, to this extent, encouraging smart way in production of food despite weather changes.
Mr Chidozie Kanu, Project Climate Change expert
The Project Climate Change expert, Mr Chidozie Kanu, noted the importance of the training to include knowing when the onset is established, especially the volume of rain that would support farming activities and the weather-trigger warning systems that might deter or encourage flooding, having in mind timely application of chemicals to avoid being washed away.
He encouraged participants who were drawn from 100 communities across 10 selected Local Government Areas of the state, to step down the training to farmers to avoid unnecessary wastages arising from ignorance in the knowledge of weather prediction.
Chika Macdonald Chidom, A female participant
A female participant, Chika Macdonald Chidom, a poultry farmer, a project beneficiary from, Abayi Ohanze, Obingwa Local Government Area, thanked the Governor for the financial support in the project which has contributed to hone her knowledge in the production of livestock.
Mr Ukanwa Ege-Ege, livestock and home garden entrepreneur
Another livestock and home garden entrepreneur, Mr Ukanwa Ege-Ege, Isiala Amaelu, Bende Local Government Area, described agriculture as a “climate-sensitive” activity, promised to utilize the knowledge to enhance every segment of his farming activities.
Weather “Onset” is the beginning of a particular season, especially weather pattern or Meteorological event. It enhances farmers’ choice of planning to plant crops or rare livestock for better productivity.
Group picture of participants
LIFE-ND Project is an initiative of the Federal Government, International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, and Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to reduce poverty, create employment opportunities, sustainable income and food sufficiency in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
