Online Reporter
Senior Business Reporter
THE Government has deployed three aircraft to Bulawayo, Harare and Masvingo for cloud-seeding operations as it steps up preparations for the 2026/27 agricultural season, which is forecast to receive below-normal rain-fall and experience elevated temperatures.
The move is part of a six-pillar response plan activated following the release of the seasonal weather forecast, with Government seeking to cushion agriculture, livestock and water supplies from the effects of a potentially drier season.
Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Dr Anxious Masuka said Government had begun positioning aircraft, technical personnel and research capacity ahead of the rainfall season.
“Following the release of the season’s weather forecast indicating that the country will have below normal rainfall associated with elevated temperatures government has activated a six pillar response plan, anchored on enhanced strategic grain reserve climate smart agriculture new financial architecture, livestock response, enhanced imports and coordination capacity building and early warning systems,” said Dr Masuka.
He said cloud seeding formed part of the climate-smart production measures under the second pillar of the response plan.
“And it is in this context that under Pillar 2 that looks at climate smart production, we are looking at enhancement and argumentation of rainfall,” he said.
Dr Masuka said an inter-ministerial Cabinet committee had met to assess the country’s preparedness and en-sure that resources were in place ahead of the season.
“We just had an inter-ministerial committee meeting of the Cabinet committee established last year to ensure that preparedness is at the highest level.”
He said preparations included ensuring the availability and strategic positioning of aircraft, technical personnel and systems to monitor the effectiveness of cloud-seeding operations.
“So we are looking at availability of aircraft, availability of the technical people and the locations of the aircraft and also looking at research development and tracking of the success of cloud seeding so that we can form better planning into the future,” said Dr Masuka.
The three aircraft will be stationed in the country’s major regions to improve operational coverage when suitable clouds develop.
“We are going to be using largely the conventional method of aircraft and we now have three aircraft which will be stationed in Masvingo, Bulawayo and in Harare.”
Government is also exploring emerging technologies to complement conventional aircraft-based cloud seeding, including drones and fixed ground stations.
“We are also looking at drones to be able to enhance rainfall. We are also looking at fixed stations through the season and we have requested ZINSA to look at the R&D aspects using our two satellites,” he said.
The expanded monitoring and research programme is expected to help Government assess cloud development, rainfall patterns and the effectiveness of rainfall-enhancement interventions.
Cloud seeding, however, depends on the availability of suitable clouds and is intended to enhance rainfall rather than replace normal seasonal rains.
Beyond cloud seeding, the Government response plan includes strengthening strategic grain reserves, promoting climate-smart agriculture, establishing a new financial architecture, strengthening livestock support, enhancing imports and improving coordination, capacity building and early-warning systems.
The measures are aimed at protecting farmers and the wider economy from the potential impact of reduced rainfall during the 2026/27 season, particularly on crop production, livestock, water availability and food security.
Temba Dube