Govt abandons cloud seeding
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Written by Natasha Hove
Monday, 18 January 2010 12:37
BULAWAYO – Plans by the government to conduct a cloud seeding exercise to induce rain have been shelved owing to lack of finances.
Sources in the Meteorological Services Department told The Zimbabwean that the government had failed to begin the process owing to lack of funds to purchase chemicals needed for the process. “We were initially supposed to start last week in Masvingo, but due to lack of funds, the process is being postponed,” sources said.
The development raises fears of another poor farming season as it comes on the back of fertilizer shortages and a prolonged dry spell. The Zimbabwean could not independently confirm how much the cloud seeding exercise would cost. But nearly all government departments are cash strapped and are failing to execute their duties. Agriculture Minister, Herbert Murerwa, was not available to comment on prospects for the 2009 to 2010 farming season.