Honduras to conduct seven additional cloud seeding flights

The Honduran Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG) has announced plans to conduct seven additional flights to stimulate rainfall through cloud modification techniques. The initiative, which is funded by private sector investment exceeding $250,000, aims to mitigate the effects of drought on agricultural production.

Minister Moisés Molina Guillén stated that the operations are contingent upon favorable atmospheric conditions and the presence of suitable clouds. While the private sector has requested the continuation of these operations, Molina noted the complexity of determining the exact effectiveness of the technology. He cited instances in southern regions where rainfall significantly exceeded forecasts, though he cautioned that such increases cannot be automatically attributed to the seeding process alone.

Regarding crop projections, the government expects to produce between 600,000 and 700,000 quintals of rice, approximately three million quintals of beans, and nearly one million quintals of white corn. Molina rejected industry estimates suggesting a potential 150,000-quintal reduction in rice production, stating that definitive data will only be available once the harvest is complete.