Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the installation of three agro-meteorological stations across the state to strengthen climate-smart livestock production, improve weather monitoring and enhance resilience to climate change.
The project, to be implemented under the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, is expected to provide farmers, researchers and policymakers with real-time climate data to support informed agricultural decision-making.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday in Ado Ekiti, describing the initiative as another milestone in the state government’s drive to leverage technology and innovation to transform agriculture.
According to Boluwade, the agro-meteorological stations will be installed at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Complex in Ado Ekiti, the State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) Complex in Ikole Ekiti, and the Faculty of Agriculture, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI) in Ikere Ekiti.
He explained that locating the facilities across the three sites ensures coverage of Ekiti State’s major agro-ecological zones—Savannah, Derived Savannah and Forest—thereby strengthening climate monitoring, agricultural planning and research throughout the state.
The commissioner said the stations will generate real-time data on critical weather parameters, including rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind speed and solar radiation, providing valuable climate information for livestock farmers, extension officers, veterinary professionals, researchers and government agencies.
According to him, access to accurate weather information will improve pasture management, water resource planning, disease surveillance and climate risk management, ultimately enhancing productivity across the livestock value chain.
Boluwade added that the facilities will also strengthen the state’s early warning system for extreme weather events, enabling faster responses to climate-related threats, improving evidence-based planning and reducing the vulnerability of livestock production to changing weather conditions.
He noted that the initiative reflects Governor Oyebanji’s commitment to building a modern, technology-driven agricultural sector capable of addressing the challenges posed by climate change while increasing food production.
The commissioner further stated that the project aligns with the broader objectives of the L-PRES Programme, which seeks to improve livestock productivity, strengthen climate resilience and promote sustainable livestock development.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would enhance food security, improve farmers livelihoods and further position Ekiti State as a leading hub for climate-smart agriculture in Nigeria.
