The output from the recently harvested ‘Aman’ paddy crop is provisionally estimated at 9.6 million tonnes which is slightly lower than earlier estimate of 10.2 million tonnes, but about 1 percent higher than the production of last year. The failure of rains in October following the cyclonic storms during the last week of September were responsible for the downward adjustment of estimates. The production target for the ‘boro’ rice crop, to be harvested in May/June has been set at 7.5 million tonnes, against the previous year’s harvest of 7.46 million tonnes. The 1997 production estimate has been revised upwards by 500 000 tonnes from the previous forecast to 28.5 million tonnes reflecting good yields achieved due to favourable weather conditions and an adequate supply of essential inputs.
The outlook for the wheat crop, to be harvested in MarchApril is favourable; the production target is set at 1.5 million tonnes, against the previous year’s crop of 1.45 million tonnes. Despite recent price rises, the overall food supply situation remains satisfactory. As of end- December 1997, the government-held cereal stocks were estimated at 826 000 tonnes. Current projections indicate that the country will import some 1.1 million tonnes of wheat and 350 000 tonnes of rice.