Ekiti Approves Three Weather Stations to Support Livestock Farming

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the installation of three agro-meteorological stations to strengthen climate-smart livestock production and improve agricultural resilience across the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, said the project is being implemented under the World Bank-supported Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES). He said the initiative will use technology and innovation to improve livestock production and help farmers respond to climate change.

The three stations will be located at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Complex in Ado Ekiti, the State Agricultural Development Programme Complex in Ikole Ekiti, and the Faculty of Agriculture at Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology in Ikere Ekiti. The locations were selected to cover the state's Savannah, Derived Savannah and Forest agro-ecological zones.

Boluwade said the stations will provide real-time weather data, including rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind speed and solar radiation. He said the information will support livestock farmers, extension officers, veterinary professionals, researchers and policymakers in livestock production, pasture management, disease surveillance, water resource management and climate risk planning.

He added that the stations will strengthen the state's early warning system for extreme weather events, improve planning and support sustainable livestock development. Boluwade expressed confidence that the project will increase livestock productivity, strengthen food security and improve livelihoods across the livestock value chain.