The l997 cereal harvest could be larger than last year. The area sown to grains has increased sharply due to the reintegration of territories not previously accessible. Growing conditions for the wheat crop have been mixed but lower wheat yields have been partially offset by the 20 percent increase in the area sown to 250 000 hectares and output is officially estimated at 884 000 tons, 19 percent more than last year. This is adequate to cover domestic needs. The outlook for spring grains is satisfactory to date. The Government has also provided funding for the spring sowing campaign, to assist state and private farmers to purchase fuel, fertilizer and agro-chemicals.