As climate change effects become more pronounced across the nation due to unpredictable precipitation patterns, those involved are crafting innovative strategies for both reduction and adjustment measures aimed at assisting farmers in strengthening their ability to withstand these challenges.
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation has initiated efforts focused on establishing ground-based weather stations designed to enhance data collected from satellite weather stations and information supplied by NiMET’s own weather stations.
Dr. Kayode Sanni, who leads the rice initiative and digital farming efforts at the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, stated during an interview with Daily Trust in Abuja at the Climate Resilience in Action: Collaborative Strategies for Adaptation conference that a fresh method was necessary to expand adaptation measures.
He mentioned that the system would assist in collecting data beneath the vegetative cover to merge at a central station. Here, the 'ground-truthing information,' gathered by the remote sensors, along with details like rainfall, soil moisture, and the specific water requirements of different plants for their survival, could be used as informative inputs.
Thus, what we're accomplishing here will enable us to inform the farmer that there won’t be any rain for the upcoming two weeks. However, due to the type of soil they have, they shouldn’t worry about watering their crops during this period since their soil retains moisture effectively and provides sufficient water to the plants. For those with sandy soil, which doesn’t hold water well, we can recommend how often they should irrigate their farms prior to the return of rainfall.
The uniqueness of this partnership lies in providing more than just weather updates; we offer guidance on agricultural techniques that enable farmers to sustain operations until rainfall arrives. It’s not solely about waiting for rain but advising them on managing resources effectively until precipitation occurs. Additionally, we connect these strategies with processes aimed at boosting farm yields.
Dr. Sanni elaborated, "We are examining the soil structures that will assist farmers in determining the optimal planting depths for their crops to achieve maximum yields."
Professor Charles Anosike, who serves as both the Director General and CEO of Nigeria’s Meteorological Agency (NiMet), suggested that the nation should capitalize on artificial intelligence technologies for enhancing weather predictions.
Continuous technological investment is essential for effective early warnings today, which is critical in establishing climate resilience and ensuring food security.
"Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming weather forecasting and significantly contributing to enhancing climate resilience. Tools driven by AI offer invaluable information for decision-makers, enabling them to create more efficient strategies for adapting to and mitigating climate change impacts. The question remains: how do we improve our capabilities in physical modeling and weather data gathering while keeping up with advancements in AI?" He questioned.
However, Professor Anosike stated that even though AI is not expected to supplant physical models anytime soon, the nation should increase investment in this technology to enhance early warning systems for farmers and other final users.
"Offering current weather updates on approaching dangers aims to lessen the effects of climate-related catastrophes, protect people and their means of living. By utilizing recent technology and creative approaches, we can speed up actions against climate change and improve our ability to withstand such events," he further stated.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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