BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has called for the implementation of a well-tailored insurance package for Nigerian farmers to enhance food security.
He made the appeal during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to his Abuja office on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
He expressed gratitude to the delegation for acknowledging NiMet’s crucial role in the agricultural value chain and other sectors, and for seeking collaboration in organizing the upcoming Agricultural Insurance and Weather Advisory Services Roundtable.
This event, themed “Creating Last-Mile Structures for Agricultural Insurance & Weather Advisory Services: A Risk Mitigation and Resilience Measure for Smallholder Farmers,” aims to address these pressing issues.
The NiMet DG/CEO emphasised the need for the financial sector’s involvement, stating, “NiMet’s early warning systems are not just about enhancing agricultural productivity but also about safeguarding lives.
The 2024 floods have already demonstrated the life-saving potential of early warnings.
His words; “If we can integrate climate risk into the financial sector’s risk management practices, we can make a compelling case for the agricultural insurance scheme we envision.”
Professor Anosike further noted, “Climate change exacerbates existing economic challenges. It is a threat multiplier, which necessitates a different approach from NiMet. We will actively engage in all aspects of the roundtable to ensure the success and fulfillment of its objectives.”
He suggested that USAID consider initiating a pilot insurance scheme for farmers before rolling it out more broadly, assuring that NiMet will involve its stakeholders in this effort.
In closing, Professor Anosike informed the delegation about NiMet’s forthcoming training programs in weather, water, and climate science aimed at building stakeholder capacity and fostering a unified vision.
Dr. Ben Odoemena, Chief of Party, Extension Activity at USAID and leader of the delegation, thanked Professor Anosike for the meeting.
He said, “Our mission is to collaborate with NiMet and involve the agency in the roundtable.
This workshop aims to highlight the theme to key stakeholders across the agricultural, insurance, and financial sectors. Climate change affects all aspects of life and business, not just agriculture.
NiMet’s strategic role is crucial to achieving our goals, and the proposed roundtable will significantly enhance NiMet’s services.”
Dr. Odoemena further explained, “Farmers are currently not insuring their farms or businesses, partly due to limited insurance and weather information access in rural areas.
“We need to scale up these processes to ensure that smallholder farmers become aware of weather conditions before heading to their farms. This consciousness is essential for the advancement of agriculture.”
