The rainy season started in September with early light rains in northern provinces and the central plateau. Land preparation and planting are at an advanced stage in most parts of the country but dry conditions persist in some southern areas. Widespread precipitation in November favoured the development of recently planted coarse grain crops to be harvested in April 1997. Prospects are good so far as the continuing relative peace gives hope for increased planting of land that had previously been left idle because of poor security. Improvements are also expected in the provision of seeds and farming implements, as pledged assistance continue to reach the country. Some 530 000 families are benefiting from the 1996/97 seed and tool distribution campaign. The food supply situation remains a cause for concern despite improvements in foodcrops production and distribution of relief food. Although available food supplies are adequate, the logistics of moving these to vulnerable groups remains a major problem requiring international assistance. Cereal import requirement for 1996/97 is estimated at 442 000 tons. Although most of the requirement is expected to be covered by food aid, pledges made so far amounted to 181 500 tons, of which 96 500 tons have been delivered.