Hunger looms in Nigeria, unless…-NiMET

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has warned of impending food production shortage in the country attributing it to a projected shorter growing season in 2017.

It therefore called on government at all levels to take advantage of the predictions and ensure that the proper modalities are put in place to prevent food shortage.

The director general of the agency, Sani Abubakar Mashi, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while making his last presentation on seasonal rainfall prediction for 2017.

NIMET further disclosed that food production is expected to be less than normal due to short period of rain, noting that in most parts of the north, the raining season is expected to commence later than normal while the dry period is projected to start in October.

According to Mashi, dry spells will occur in most parts of the north for the next 14 to 20 days, adding that the rains and thunder storms predicted for the year will lead to cancelation of flights and will also require road users to be more careful during the early rains and in times of high intensity rainfall as they usually lead to slippery roads and flash floods, which constitute safety hazards to road users.

He said: “Onset dates of the growing season is predicted to run from 25 February over the coastal states to 16 June in the far north. Onset is predicted to be normal in many areas, but early in parts of the northwest, the eastern flank of Adamawa and Taraba states and the coastal states.

“Cessation dates of the rains in 2017 are predicted to start from around 4 October (extreme north) and reach the coastal States around 25 December 2017. Extended rains of three to eight days are predicted for areas in and around Adamawa, Ogun, Edo, the Niger Delta and low-lying areas such Lagos,” Mashi said.

The NiMET director general insisted that the cessation dates of the growing season are expected to extend well in December over the coastal states of the Niger Delta.

Mashi further stated that the growing season is predicted to range from 100 days in the far north to 287 days in the southern areas.

He also disclosed that “the warmer-than-normal conditions predicted for the northern parts of the country from January to April may lead to water stress and outbreak of heat related disease among people and livestock while the predicted normal temperature conditions in the coastal region are expected to boost fish production this year.”

However, the outgoing DG of NiMET, Dr. Anthony Anuforo, in his farewell remarks, warned that unusual and extreme weather events due to climate change, remain a challenge to mankind, hence the need for Nigeria to put in place adequate adaptation measures to reduce the impacts of climate related risks on its environment.

The NiMet boss advised farmers of livestock to brace up for the dangers ahead as a result of warmer than normal conditions for the northern parts from January to April this year and warned them to seek alternative source of water for their livestock during the period.

While warning that heat stress will likely persist throughout the year, Mashi said it will lead to outbreak of heat related diseases.

He urged relevant authorities to encourage farmers to adopt international best practices in animal husbandry through provisions of ranches and fodder for livestock.

Meanwhile, the outgoing director general of NiMet, Dr. Anuforom, has said that the agency has achieved over 80% accuracy in its Rainfall Predictions in recent years.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Anuforom said the level of the accuracy was significantly higher than the acceptable world Meteorological organizations minimum acceptable threshold of 60 percent which has led to increase in the confidence of stakeholders and general public in its predictions.

He noted that NiMet has gained national and international acceptability which has earned the agency great respect.