Abuja: The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme announced the launch of the Climate-Smart Agribusiness Partnership for Resilience (CSAPR) project, marking a significant step towards creating a modern, competitive, and climate-resilient agricultural sector. Dr. Kabir Yusuf, National Programme Coordinator of SAPZ, revealed this development during the unveiling of the Federal Government and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-CSAPR project in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Yusuf, represented by Dr. Zakari Tsiga, SAPZ Programme Operations Manager, pointed out that climate change poses a serious threat to agricultural productivity due to erratic rainfall, flooding, drought, and other extreme weather events. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action and innovative solutions. The CSAPR project aims to integrate Climate Information Services (CIS) into agricultural value chains through robust public-private partnerships. This initiative is in line with SAPZ’s goal of developing resilient agro-industrial ecosystems to improve productivity, attract investment, and enhance rural livelihoods.
Dr. Yusuf noted that although the IFAD-supported activities are in the early stages of implementation, there has been encouraging progress. Climate information dissemination has begun, with automated weather stations installed in Ogun and Kano states. Digital devices have also been distributed to leaders of farmer organizations to facilitate the timely transmission of weather information to farmers. ‘These achievements demonstrate our commitment to ensuring farmers have access to reliable climate information for better decision-making,’ he stated. The workshop aims to strengthen partnerships, enhance stakeholders’ understanding of the project, and generate recommendations for successful implementation.
Earlier, Prof. Charles Anosike, Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), emphasized that the CSAPR project would fortify Nigeria’s food systems, safeguard rural livelihoods, and build a more resilient agricultural economy. He highlighted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes agriculture and food security as drivers of inclusive prosperity, job creation, and sustainable economic growth. Anosike noted that erratic rainfall, floods, droughts, shifting planting seasons, pests, and other climate-related risks are already affecting productivity, incomes, and food security across the country.
Prof. Anosike stated that timely, accurate, and accessible weather and climate information is crucial for climate-smart agriculture. Farmers need reliable advisories on planting periods, input application, loss reduction, and preparedness for extreme weather events. Agribusinesses, financial institutions, insurers, processors, and investors also depend on climate intelligence to manage risks and sustain agricultural value chains. He affirmed that the CSAPR project aligns with NiMet’s mandate to provide weather, climate, and water-related information for sustainable development. It also complements the Federal Government’s efforts to boost agricultural productivity, strengthen food systems, attract investment, and improve the resilience of farming communities.
He emphasized the need to move climate services beyond weather forecasts to practical decision-support tools accessible to farmers, extension workers, cooperatives, and private sector operators. Anosike reiterated NiMet’s commitment to collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, IFAD, state governments, development partners, research institutions, and farmer organizations to expand access to Climate Information Services. NiMet will continue supporting climate-informed agricultural planning through seasonal climate predictions, agrometeorological bulletins, impact-based forecasts, early warning advisories, and digital climate advisory platforms.