A state-wide capacity-building programme to equip farmers in Enugu State with climate-change knowledge has begun.
The initiative, being coordinated by the state Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, is aimed at assisting farmers to understand weather patterns and improve productivity across rural communities, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Nwabueze Uburu, said.
The programme, entitled “Train-the-trainer workshop on the downscaling of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) in Enugu”, has the Nigerian Meteorological Agency as partners.
Uburu said the programme was a reflection of Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to agricultural transformation. Quoting him, “This is a form of capacity-building initiated by the governor to educate our farmers and give them the right knowledge they deserve. We are here to downscale the 2026 NiMet prediction so farmers can apply it directly to their farming practices.”
He recalled that a similar exercise conducted in 2025 yielded positive results. “We saw the impact; farmers were able to monitor weather and apply it appropriately. Some even understood that the first rain is not always the best time to plant. From the success of last year, the governor directed that we expand it. Every rural community must be developed. This will help not only farmers but other sectors understand weather patterns.”
The commissioner urged the participants to utilize the knowledge well. He said, “It is a train-the-trainer programme. They will return to their wards and downscale what they have learnt. That is how we reach more farmers. We are collecting their data and will keep communicating with them. They will submit reports, videos, and names of those they train. We also have demonstration farms where they will practically experience how weather affects farming.”
A resource person, Professor Ifeanyi Enete of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said the training was prompted by increasing climate variability.
According to him, “Rainfall and temperature patterns have changed significantly. Farmers are the most vulnerable. We need to inform them what the weather will look like so they can plan. Only when farmers know these variables can they develop crop or livestock calendars.”
Enete warned of the economic and health impacts of climate change. “Floods can destroy farms, forcing farmers to start afresh. Some lose crops, livestock, and even suffer depression.”
The don advocated smart agriculture. “Capacity building and climate information will help farmers avoid weather-related losses. Diversification is key, don’t rely on one crop or livestock.
Too much rain causes flooding; too little leads to drought. Proper soil and water management are essential for resilience.”
The Nimet Zonal Manager, South-East, Osuyomi Oluwaseyi, said the prediction focuses on rainfall onset, length of season, and cessation.
“The predictions vary depending on location. Southern areas experience earlier onset than northern areas. We predicted onset in the southern parts around March 30, while northern areas begin in early April. Some far northern locations may start around April 11. Northern areas will experience cessation around November 22, and it cascades downward.”
He explained that the length of the season is projected at about 227 days. “These are the key variables farmers need to plan effectively.”
Participants were drawn from all the three senatorial zones in the state.
