Harvesting of the 1997 short rains “Vuli” season in under way in the bi-modal rainfall areas of the northern coastal belt and north-eastern, where this crop account for some 40 percent of the annual food supplies. Prospects are unfavourable reflecting well below average cumulative precipitation during the growing. A poor outturn of the vuli season, will aggravate the difficult situation in the food deficit pockets affected by reduced harvest in the previous season. The situation is anticipated particularly serious in highland northern-eastern parts In unimodal rainfall areas of the south, planting of the 1997 main “masika” season, to be harvested from March, has been completed. Prospects are uncertain. Insufficient rains in November and December, particularly in western regions, are likely to have resulted in planting reductions and affected crop establishment. More rains are needed soon. The food supply situation is overall satisfactory. As a result of a good 1996 production, the country remained self- sufficient in the main foodcrops, except wheat for which limited imports are required for consumption in urban areas. However, it is estimated that some 280 000 persons different regions gathered a poor harvest and are in need of food assistance until the next main harvest from June. The presence of large numbers of refugees in Kagera and Kigoma regions is also adversely affecting the food supply situation in these regions where food prices have risen substantially. Total registered refugees currently remaining in Tanzania are 248 000 (mostly Burundian) but exact numbers are uncertain. By late December, the influx of Zairean and Burundian refugees into Kigoma region continues at the rate of 1 000 per day.