News / National
Zimbabwe to buy cloud seeding aircraft
04 Sep 2015 at 07:34hrs | Views
The Meteorological Department is mobilising funds to purchase a second aircraft for cloud seeding as Government intensifies measures to mitigate the effects of the climate change in light of below normal rainfall forecast for the 2015 /2016 cropping season.
In a seasonal climate outlook, the Meteorological Department said there is need to enhance rainfall this season through intensifying the national cloud seeding programme in light of the below normal rainfall expected.
Meteorological Department director Amos Makarau said the more aircrafts the department has the more effective cloud seeding programmes progress.
According to the Meteorological Department programme cloud seeding should commence as early as mid-November so that rainfall could be available early for planting.
Zimbabwe is likely to receive normal to below normal rainfall during the 2015-16 farming season, with farmers being advised to plant small grains, short-season varieties and stagger planting to spread the risk, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has warned.
To avert potentially devastating food insecurity for the country, the MSD implored Government to prioritise cloud seeding, farmers with irrigation facilities to utilise them than focusing on dry land farming and to practice conservation farming.
MSD forecaster Lucy Motsi said there was a high likelihood of a late start to the rainy season across the country.
In a seasonal climate outlook, the Meteorological Department said there is need to enhance rainfall this season through intensifying the national cloud seeding programme in light of the below normal rainfall expected.
Meteorological Department director Amos Makarau said the more aircrafts the department has the more effective cloud seeding programmes progress.
According to the Meteorological Department programme cloud seeding should commence as early as mid-November so that rainfall could be available early for planting.
Zimbabwe is likely to receive normal to below normal rainfall during the 2015-16 farming season, with farmers being advised to plant small grains, short-season varieties and stagger planting to spread the risk, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has warned.
To avert potentially devastating food insecurity for the country, the MSD implored Government to prioritise cloud seeding, farmers with irrigation facilities to utilise them than focusing on dry land farming and to practice conservation farming.
MSD forecaster Lucy Motsi said there was a high likelihood of a late start to the rainy season across the country.
Source - the herald
