. . . Govt considers cloud seeding

Extra Reporter

Government could begin cloud-seeding following a delay in the onset of rains this summer cropping season.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa revealed this in his 2015 National Budget Statement presented to Parliament recently saying: “Mr Speaker Sir, mindful of the 2014/2015 season weather forecasts, I propose to allocate US$400 000 to cloud seeding.” The allocation comes at a time fears are high that the season might fail to attract meaningful rains.

Traditionally, rains begin falling during the first week of November signalling dry land farming.

Also speaking on the seasons farming, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made, told The Sunday Mail that the Government was also considering boosting support for irrigated land.

“Farmers who have already planted their seeds should adopt methods so that the seed will not rot,” said the minister.

“At the same time we advise farmers not to plant their seed at once as the rains are now unpredictable.

“We are mobilising funds to support irrigation and the finance minister has also mobilised funds for cloud seeding.”

Experts say the change in weather patterns are a result of the effects of climate change.