The National Coordinator of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Muhammadu Lawal-Ida, says the 2019 Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) rainfall prediction will save farmers millions of naira in losses.
Lawal-Ida spoke at the NiMET-CASP down-scaling workshop for 2019 seasonal rainfall prediction in Sokoto.
He said IFAD had been working with NiMET to provide early warning system to farmers.
Lawal-Ida therefore, urged farmers from Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina states to be guided by the 2019 seasonal rainfall prediction to avoid losses.
In his remarks, the Director General of NiMET, Prof. Sani Mashi, said the prediction would guide the farmers on what to do, and at the appropriate time.
Mashi, represented by Dr Mansur Matazu, Director, Research, NiMET, said framers would now know the time to expect rainfall, its cessation period and what to plant.
“This will enable them to plan well during the farming season,” he said.
One of the farmers who spoke to newsmen, Alhaji Ibrahim Tangaza, said they had benefited a lot from the 2018 NiMET prediction.
Tangaza described the workshop as apt; and which would give farmers in the entire zone the courage and motivation to go into the farming season without any reservations.
By Muhammad Nasir Bello
