The need to cushion farmers from the effects of flood and climate change has been brought to the front burner by the Country Director of International Fund for Agricultural Development, Dr Dede Ekoue.
Reacting to the prediction of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), in its 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP).
The Country Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has advised farmers to embrace insurance coverage to cushion the effect of flood and climate changes on their farms.
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Adopt Agric Insurance Policy
Dr Dede Ekoue, urged farmers who have benefited fro the IFAD projects to quickly adopt insurance cover in order to reduce the hazardous effects of floods on their farms.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has advised farmers to embrace insurance coverage to cushion the effect of flood and climate changes on their farms.
She said, “Beneficiaries of IFAD projects should adopt insurance to cushion the effects of climate change.
“One cannot reduce the risk to zero, hence we are talking about extending this insurance.
“You cannot stop disaster but you can prepare so that in case it hit you, you will have insurance cover and your income given back to you.
“Farmers that adopt insurance have seen the benefits. So, we continue to encourage farmers on insurance,” she said.
IFAD’s Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND)
Ekoue said IFAD through its project Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) has been clamouring for climate smart agriculture.
According to her, the organisation through LIFE-ND project has scaled up training for farmers to enable them prepare for climatic event such as flood as well as drought.
She said “we appreciate the added value of LIFE-ND in terms of training the farmers and other entrepreneur on climate resilience practices”.
The IFAD boss, lauded NiMet by releasing weather information routinely to farmers through technology.
She further appreciated LIFE-ND, encouraged other IFAD projects to use climate related device solutions developed by NiMet.
Ekoue described NiMet solution as a good approach to reducing the impact of climate change, such as flooding.
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NiMet’s Climate Prediction For Farmers
Recall that the NiMet Director-General, Prof. Mansur Matazu, had revealed in February that there will be peak rainfall between July and September.
“We have peak rainfall between July and September and in such times, because of high soil moisture, we expect flash floods around cities.
“We are also expecting riverine floods in those areas that are flood-prone.”
Matazu, said the Onset dates for parts of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States are likely to be near their long-term averages.
