The Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP) has described seasonal climate prediction as a vital planning tool for farmers because it provides early and reliable information on rainfall patterns.

Ya’u Muhammad, the programme manager, made this known in an interview with journalists on Monday in Bauchi.

He said the tool would provide climate-related factors that directly influence agricultural productivity.

Mr Muhammed said NiMet is mandated to provide annual seasonal forecasts that guide farmers on rainfall onset and cessation, distribution, sunshine intensity, and conditions during floods, droughts, pest and disease outbreaks.

“We engaged in extensive discussions at the national level and gathered valuable information which will soon be stepped down to farmers across Bauchi State,” he said.

Mr Muhammad explained that they had a stakeholder’s forum that served as BSADP’s primary platform for engaging farmers and agricultural experts.

“Participants included representatives from the Institute of Agricultural Research, Lake Chad Research Institute, and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University,” he said.

He noted that the prediction would be simplified, particularly in Hausa, to ensure grassroots farmers understand and apply it effectively.

The programme manager described the 2026 forecast as “very, very important” and urged farmers to strictly adhere to the guidelines to achieve improved yields.

He assured that BSADP would provide climate-resilient and disease-resistant seeds, timely advisories, and alerts for flood-prone or drought-affected areas.

Mr Muhammad added that radio, television, and social media platforms would be deployed to ensure wide dissemination, with the ultimate goal of strengthening food security in Bauchi State.

(NAN)