The Philippines and Thailand are strengthening technical cooperation on cloud-seeding operations as both countries seek to enhance their capacity to address water-related challenges affecting agriculture.

The Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) and the Thailand’s Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (DRRAA) convened a Technical Capacity Enhancement and Knowledge Exchange Activity on Cloud-Seeding Operations (CSOp) from August 11 to 13, 2026, bringing together technical experts to exchange knowledge, operational practices, and technologies in cloud seeding.

The three-day activity went beyond technical discussions, providing both countries an opportunity to observe and learn from actual cloud-seeding operations. An on-field cloud-seeding operation was conducted at Cuayan Airport in Isabela targeted the Magat Dam watershed areas on August 11 and 12, allowing Philippine and Thai experts to exchange firsthand insights on operational procedures, technical considerations, and the coordination required in carrying out cloud-seeding activities.

The field operation highlighted the importance of science-based decision-making in cloud seeding. Its effectiveness depends on the presence of suitable atmospheric conditions, accurate weather information, appropriate technology, and trained personnel capable of determining when and where operations can be conducted.

The activity culminated in a bilateral meeting on August 13 involving the DA-BSWM, Thailand’s Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (DRRAA), and the Philippine Air Force (PAF), where the participating agencies discussed areas for further and future technical cooperation. The discussions, which included DA-BSWM OIC Director Denise A. Solano, provided an avenue for both countries to examine their respective approaches, technologies, and operational practices while identifying opportunities to strengthen knowledge-sharing and technical capabilities in cloud-seeding operations. The workshop also highlighted Thailand’s ground-based generator technology, which is deployed in strategic watersheds, and explored its potential application through a possible pilot implementation in the Philippines. 

The participation of the PAF likewise demonstrated the necessity of inter-agency coordination in specialized aerial operations supporting agricultural and water-resource management initiatives. The exchange demonstrated that effective cloud-seeding operations require not only technical expertise but also coordination among institutions involved in weather monitoring, aviation, agriculture, and water management.

For the Philippines and Thailand, the activity reflects a shared recognition that climate and water challenges increasingly demand collaborative and science-based solutions. With agriculture heavily dependent on water availability, strengthening technical capacity in cloud seeding can serve as one of the tools that complement broader efforts toward agricultural resilience and climate adaptation.

The Philippines’ engagement with the DRRAA also provides an opportunity to learn from Thailand’s experience in rainmaking and agricultural aviation, while allowing both countries to compare their respective practices and explore innovations that may contribute to more effective cloud-seeding operations.

Ultimately, the three-day technical exchange demonstrated that cloud seeding is not simply about looking to the skies for rain. It is about the science, technology, expertise, and cooperation on the ground that make every operation possible.

As the Philippines and Thailand continue to confront evolving climate and water challenges, their strengthened technical partnership opens another avenue for cooperation, one where shared knowledge can help turn clouds into opportunities for supporting agriculture and building greater resilience. 

The DRRAA Team was composed of Mr. Patinya Roakratsiri, Plan and Policy Analyst; Mr. Woragun Junta and Mr. Thanakorn Sereesakulthon, Operational Scientists; Ms. Sumamas Chaiwong, Professional Scientist; and Mr. Rangsan Budmuang, Assistant Director-General. 

Under the leadership of OIC Director Denise A. Solano, the DA-BSWM cloud-seeding team was composed of Engr. Diosdado Manalus, Chief of the Water Resources Management Division (WRMD); Engr. Florante Bande, Chief of the Agricultural and Hydrology Research Support Services (AHRSS); Engr. Corazon Ditarro, Engr. Phoebe Pua, and Engr. Jocel Mendoza, Engineers II; Mr. Eddie Martinez and Mr. Dember Nidoy, Agriculturists II; Ms. Melody Zabala, Agriculturist I; Ms. Aiza Nieva, PDO II; Ms. Eunice Bazar, Administrative staff; and Ms. Michelle Pauliño, Communication Development I. The activity was also conducted in collaboration with the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), DA Regional Field Offices (DA-RFOs), and National Irrigation Administration (NIA). | via via Engr. Corazon Ditaro and Engr. Dember Nidoy, WRMD

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