Global Partnership Launches $1bn Weather Innovation Package for Farmers at COP29

Global Partnership Launches $1bn Weather Innovation Package for Farmers at COP29

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

As part of its significant stride towards climate resilience, the Agriculture Innovation Mechanism for Scale (AIM for Scale) revealed its pioneering Innovation Package at the ongoing COP29 World Leaders Climate Action Summit. 

This initiative aims to enhance weather services for farmers across Asia, Latin America, and Africa, mobilizing over $1 billion in investments from a consortium of global partners.

The ambitious Global Partnership to Scale-Up Weather Services for Farmers has brought together a diverse coalition, including the Gates Foundation, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, USAID, and NASA, among others. 

These stakeholders are committed to rolling out the AIM for Scale Weather Package over the next three years, targeting improved adaptation strategies for farmers grappling with the reality of climate change.

During the summit, Professor Charles Anosike, Director-General and CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), represented the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and shared insights on Nigeria’s Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) program. 

He highlighted projects funded by the Gates Foundation that aim to bolster weather services for millions of Nigerian farmers. “I am looking forward to strengthening our agrometeorological systems to support #EW4ALL in Nigeria at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency,” he stated.

The UAE’s Minister for Climate Change and Environment, Dr. Amna al Dahak, applauded the launch of AIM for Scale, reflecting on the progress made through the AIM for Climate platform. 

“Today, with the launch of AIM for Scale, we are accelerating our efforts to find highly promising, climate-friendly agricultural innovations and breaking down barriers to their scaling,” she said.

Nobel laureate Michael Kremer, Chair of the Innovation Commission for Climate Change, Food Security, and Agriculture, emphasized the critical need for high-quality weather forecasts for smallholder farmers.

“There is a wealth of evidence that smallholder farmers benefit from high-quality weather forecasts. Yet, the challenge of reaching hundreds of millions of farmers remains. AIM for Scale is a vital step toward filling this gap by leveraging new investments and global partnerships,” he remarked.

As global leaders convene in Azerbaijan to address climate challenges, the launch of this Innovation Package marks a hopeful step toward empowering farmers with the tools and information necessary to adapt and thrive amid the shifting climate landscape.