Morocco aims to increase precipitation through artificial cloud seeding as drought persists

Morocco has become increasingly accustom to artificial seeding every year to combat persistent drought, and address the water scarcity by increasing rainfall and the size crops.

Artificial seeding is of importance as it increases the rate of precipitation by 4%, which can improve agricultural productivity by up to 20%.

“For instance, the expected 30 mm yield could reach 40 or 50 mm thanks to this technology,” said climate scientist Mohammed Benabou to Hespress.

Morocco started employing artificial seeding in the 1980s in collaboration with the US Agency for Development. “The process provides water without risks,” said the climate expert. “This technology does not produce floods or torrential rains.”

The seeding technology uses chemical components to pollinate a group of chosen clouds. The General Directorate of Meteorology carries out the process in cooperation with the Royal Gendarmerie.

The artificial seeding procedure necessitates weather observation so that experts can accurately analyze various weather data and forecasts and choose the ideal time for pollination for ground generators as well as the location of the clouds fit for pollination, according to the General Directorate of Meteorology.

Silver iodide and sodium chloride salt grains, which, depending on the type of clouds, have qualities resembling water and snow, are used in the pollination process.

Furthermore, Not all clouds can be pollinated; rather, a certain combination of micro-physical and atmospheric conditions must be in the clouds.

Al-Ghaith program, which has been operating since 1984, is currently looking at a project to expand the reach of artificial seeding to different areas of Morocco.

The program carried out a total of 27 artificial seeding operations between 2021 and 2022, and between 2022 and 2023, there were a total of 22 operations.

Al-Ghaith program garnered recognition from reputable international organizations through the hosting of the Eighth International Conference on Industrial Rainfall in Casablanca in 2003 and the Hassan II Award for Industrial Rainfall presented in the United Arab Emirates in 2007.