Cloud seeding hits funding hurdle

Cloud seeding hits funding hurdle

BLITAR, East Java: The long-standing problem of funding has
prevented the government from being able to conduct cloud seeding
to create rain, especially in this dry season, which could
mitigate the adverse impacts of drought, an official said.

Assistant to State Minister for Research and Technology and
Center for Technology Development Agency (BPPT) Aswin Sasongko
said that the central government earmarked a small amount of its
budget for cloud seeding this year despite the fact that droughts
occur annually.

"Currently, the budget for BPPT is Rp 120 billion (US$14
million) per year, of which Rp 5 billion to Rp 10 billion is
allocated for cloud seeding. This amount is far from adequate,"
he said.

He also said that a lack of coordination among relevant
agencies and local administrations also often hampered the
implementation of cloud seeding projects.

A number of local administrations have apparently been
reluctant to share the burden of funding for cloud seeding in
their areas. -- Antara