Niger has asked Morocco to help it with rainmaking in a bid to combat serious drought and an ensuing famine threatening over three million people in the country, AFP reported state radio as saying on Tuesday. Niger's president, Mamadou Tandja, made the appeal during an official visit to Morocco last week.
Artificial rain is created by spraying salt crystals into clouds.
As the crystals capture water vapour and become heavy, rain follows. AFP reported a spokesman in Niger's meteorological office as saying the operation would be costly and would only be conducted in small designated areas. Niger has made an appeal to the international community for food aid.