Anxious Masuka plays God with Zimbabwe rain

Cabinet formed an interministerial committee to assess new cloud seeding technologies to support areas that may miss adequate rain as the country prepares for the 2025 to 2026 summer cropping season. At a post Cabinet briefing, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka said agronomists advise planting short term varieties because forecasters expect a late start followed by generally good rains. The outlook points to reduced rain in October, rising in November, with normal to above normal patterns by December through March, giving a growing window of about 90 to 120 days. He chairs the committee, which will study newer methods, review operating arrangements, and map resources before presenting recommendations to Cabinet this week. Government has begun preparations for summer planting, targeting 3.1 million hectares, and has started moving inputs to Grain Marketing Board depots across the country.