The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has taken a significant step toward modernising livestock farming in Nigeria with the presentation of the maiden edition of its Livestock Weather Bulletin to the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, during a courtesy visit on Tuesday.
Professor Charles Anosike, Director-General/CEO of NiMet, explained that the bulletin provides livestock farmers with timely and precise weather information, enabling them to make informed decisions, plan effectively, and reduce exposure to climate-related risks. He highlighted the critical role of meteorological data in livestock production, noting its impact on animal health, feed and water availability, breeding cycles, and daily farm operations.
“Reliable weather forecasts allow farmers to take proactive measures that minimise financial losses and improve productivity,” Prof. Anosike said, reaffirming NiMet’s commitment to support livestock farmers and extension officers through training and capacity-building programmes.
Minister Maiha lauded the initiative, citing his personal reliance on weather forecasts for managing his private farms. He also disclosed that the Ministry has identified 417 grazing reserves nationwide and recently secured approval for their rehabilitation, emphasising that collaboration with NiMet is vital to ensure climate-smart and resilient livestock systems. The Minister revealed plans for a situation room in the Ministry’s new office complex, where live weather data will be displayed on a dashboard to aid decision-making.
Both parties agreed to establish a technical working group by January 2026 to identify and prioritise areas of collaboration. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is set to be drafted and signed in the first quarter of 2026 to formalise cooperation on weather data sharing and joint training initiatives, with workshops and capacity-building programmes planned for early next year.
