Niger Begins To Make Artificial Rain To Curb Drought

Niger has deployed a rainmaking technology, in a bid to alleviate the effects of drought which has affected the food security of the country for decades. The “induced rain” technology involves using an aircraft to spray chemicals into clouds and targeting areas where people farm.

This type of weather modification has been used in various countries including China Australia, India, and South Africa among others. This method disperses substances into the air that serve as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, which alter the microphysical processes within the cloud. This in turn changes the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds.

Some countries use this technology to lower temperatures, clear pollution as well as create artificial rains.

Niger is among the top desert countries in the world where climate change is a daily reality for its inhabitants. From high temperatures, and drought, to regular flooding, the country’s food security has continued to deteriorate.

According to the World Food Program, more than 1.9 million people in Niger were affected by severe food insecurity in 2020. Another 1.5 million people are estimated to be chronically food insecure, and millions experience periodic food shortages during the lean season.

The country has pulled through in high levels of poverty and hunger, as well as a lack of income for those who are dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. According to World Bank, more than 80 percent of Niger’s population depends on agriculture and small-scale farmers are the most affected by climate change.

Increased cases of violence related to natural resources have recently increased in the country, leading to the displacement of 2 million people, according to the world bank. The country has previously rolled out some measures to combat this enemy, with some bearing fruits.

The latest intervention is expected to play a critical role in reducing poverty and hunger through enhanced agricultural production. This will transform the lives of many people fighting for survival only if the right policies and investments are put in place.

World Bank projections show that agriculture could be a major driver of poverty reduction in developing World countries. In 2010, agriculture accounted for about 27 percent of GDP in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and employed nearly 60 percent of the labor force.

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