Met Dept seeks funds for cloud seeding

The Meteorological Services Department says Government should urgently release over $200 000 for cloud seeding during February and March as thousands of hectares of crops are under threat from a dry spell that has hit some parts of the country.

The country usually experiences a midseason dry spell in February and this requires cloud seeding to save crops from the conditions.

MSD department requires $97 000 to pay the 2013/14 arrears to the company hired to conduct cloud seeding and $150 000 as deposit for 100 hours of cloud seeding. Finance and Economic Planning Minister Patrick Chinamasa allocated $400 000 for cloud seeding during the 2014/15 farming season. But the money has not been released to date.

MSD head of weather services Tich Zinyemba yesterday said the current uneven rainfall patterns are not good for the crop in most parts of the country.

"It is forecast that rainfall, exceeding 30mm in 24 hours are highly probable mainly in all Mashonaland provinces, Matabeleland North and the northern regions of the Midlands as well as Manicaland.

"For Masvingo, Matabeleland South, southern areas of Manicaland and Midlands, the rainfall is expected to be generally light. Cloud seeding is highly recommended from now until March. The MSD is requesting for the release of funds as a matter of urgency," he said.

Cloud seeding is a technique that increases rainfall in a target area. It is normally conducted from November 1 to the end of March when conditions are suitable.

Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made yesterday expressed concern over the state of crops that had been affected by the mid-season dry spell in most parts of the country.

"The mid-season dry spell has affected crops in most southern parts of country and has also affected tobacco and pastures and this threatens food security. The dry spell has also made it more difficult to control armyworm. The impact of the dry spell is more serious than armyworm," he said.

"We must take intervention measures in terms of cloud seeding as the rains are not significant enough. Some farmers are applying top dressing fertilizer while others have already applied and this requires moisture," he said.

Dr Made said the change in the rainfall pattern could be a result of climate change and there was need to invest in irrigation. The MSD has predicted normal rainfall with a bias towards above normal in most parts of the country but said the rains were not good for agricultural activities because of the poor distribution.