Kasim Sumaina reports from Abuja that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project are collaborating to develop a customised Digital Precision Agricultural Extension (DPAE) platform. This platform is designed specifically for smallholder farmers in northern Nigeria.

During a meeting at NiMet’s headquarters in Abuja, Mukhtar Y. Tanko, the National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, briefed Professor Charles Anosike, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, on the project. Tanko emphasised that ACReSAL recognises NiMet as a key stakeholder in the development, deployment, and sustainability of the DPAE.

According to Tanko, Sub-Component B2 of the project aims to support farmers at the household level by optimising climate-smart rain-fed agriculture practices. He stated that utilising weather data is essential to optimise farm management and improve agricultural productivity. The federal government, through ACReSAL, intends for the DPAE platform to provide smallholder farmers in northern Nigeria with real-time information and advice on agriculture, including customised and predictive content such as input recommendations, market information, and weather-related information.

Professor Anosike welcomed the initiative to strengthen the partnership between NiMet and ACReSAL, noting the impossibility of practicing precision-smart agriculture without weather and climate information. He expressed that NiMet already has a productive relationship with ACReSAL and is open to further collaboration. Anosike stressed the importance of NiMet's involvement in co-developing the weather and climate dashboard and platform, ensuring it is interactive and easily accessible for farmers.

The objective of the DPAE platform, as stated by Anosike, is to develop, pilot, and implement a precision digital agriculture extension system within Northern Nigeria. This system is intended to improve farmers’ access to extension and advisory services. The digital extension platform will mobilise and coordinate key actors, including farmers, public extension services, input dealers, traders, processors, and mechanisation services providers, along the value chains, contributing to their integration.