Normal rains keep benefiting planting of the 1997/98 wheat crop. Intended plantings are provisionally forecast at a near record 250 000 hectares, as farmers are attracted by anticipated increasing exports. Fieldwork is underway in preparation of planting of the coarse grain and the important paddy crops, which is due to start from September. An above- average 280 000 hectares are expected to be sown as a whole. Barley plantings are forecast at record level.