June rainfall averaged near to below normal across most of the country and weather conditions during most of July have been reported to be generally favourable for development of main season rice. Notwithstanding these reports, however, recent meteorological reports from the country indicate that drought conditions may develop due to the “El Niño” in the last quarter of 1997, which may affect rice planted in October/November for harvest in 1998. The Agriculture department has started a campaign among farmers to plant short maturing rice and maize varieties to minimize vulnerability to potential damage from either extended drought or floods and typhoons.
Official reports indicate that unmilled rice production is expected to reach 7.14 million tons or some one percent higher for the first nine months of the year compared to 7.07 million tons in the same period last year. The increase in production is attributed to a slight increase in yields to 2.95 tons/hectare per hectare from 2.90 tons/hectare last year. Maize production is also expected to increase by around 5.5 percent to 3.46 million tons for the first nine months of 1997 from 3.28 million tons last year. The increase is attributed to higher yields and slight increase in area.