Government plays rainmaker

CIREBON, West Java: The government has been carrying out cloud seeding in West Java and Central Java since April 1 to ensure a constant water supply for local farmers during this year's dry season, an official said on Monday.

The cloud seeding is aimed at filling to capacity two major reservoirs -- the Jatiluhur dam in Purwakarta, West Java, and the Kedung Ombo dam in Boyolali, Central Java.

Ato Suprapto, a director general at the Ministry of Agriculture, said the project involved his office, the Ministry of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure and the Technology Assessment and Application Agency (BPPT).

"The government has allocated between Rp 2.5 billion (US$290,697) and Rp 3 billion for the cloud seeding program in Java," he said.

Farmers in Cirebon hailed the project, saying it would help them cope with annual water shortages. --JP