Adequate rains in November have been followed by an erratic rain pattern since December, however, this should not delay or interfere with farmers’ intentions for sowing of the 1998 first season cereal, bean and other food crops which should start from February. More rains are forecast in the weeks ahead. The area planted to maize and paddy (irrigated and nonirrigated) is expected to recover from 1997 when the crops were severely affected by drought throughout the first half of the year. The food situation is still tight and about 155 000 tonnes of food aid would be distributed in 1998 by the international community.