IFAD-VCDP Takes Campaign On Climate Smart Agricultural Practices To 8 Participating Local Govt Areas

A recent weather prediction by NIMET has it that the 2020 rainy season will cease on December seventh.

A meteorologist and officer in charge of NIMET in Awka, Mr. Nnamdi Nwaeze disclosed this during further sensitization and agro awareness on climate smart agricultural practices, mitigation and adaptation organized by the Federal Government IFAD/VCDP for farmers across the eight participating Local Government areas of the State.

Agric correspondent Ebele Ezeh reports that the training, which kicked off at Ihiala Local Government Area headquarters down to Ogbaru, Orumba North and South Local Government areas took their turn on the second day while Ayamelum, Anambra East and West and Awka North Local Government areas followed suit.

While interacting with farmers on the unusual August break experienced this year, Mr. Nwaeze, who assured that the rains will fully return in second week of September, noted that a normal rain fall of above one thousand, eight hundred millimeters will still be recorded even as he advised farmers to take precautionary measures against flash floods.

While urging them to always consult the weather office before executing their farming plans, Mr. Nwaeze asked government to assist farmers with techniques for water harvesting.

Taking participants on mitigation and adaptation measures, the State Manager, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, Mr. Andrew Uzoma stressed the importance of insurance against disaster.

Mr. Uzoma disclosed their readiness to commence the payment of indemnity to farmers affected by last year’s flood to the tune of over seventy million naira.

The State Programme Co-ordinator, Federal-Government of Nigeria/VCDP/IFAD/, Mr Nnamdi Agwuncha assured the provision of the already procure rain gauge and climate smart weather reader for daily rainfall pattern.

Mr. Agwuncha, represented by the state Agric Production Officer, Mr Emmanuel Chukwukwelu affirmed that he had already signed a deal with Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Cooperation, for the payment of indemnity to some cooperative societies affected by last year’s flood.

For some of the participants, including the Chairman of APEX farmers, in Orumba South Local Government Area, Mr. Nnaemeka Obi, a rice farmer from Ndiokpalaeze, Mr. ChibuzoOkoli and Mrs. Mercy Chukwudifu a cassava farmer from Ogbaru,who regretted the devastating effect of the present unusual August brake in their farms, appealed for the establishment of a platform for farmers where the result of weather predictions by NIMET will be shared for proper guidance affirmed that they have already insured their farms.