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