Torrential rains and flooding in July have affected planting of the coarse grains and other foodcrops, currently underway. Tentative forecasts point out to an increase in maize production from last year's above average 1 million tons to 1.5 million tons. This reflects expanded plantings mainly attributed to the strong demand from the animal feed industry. The output of sorghum, by contrast, is estimated at a poor 250 000 tons which compares to last year's average crop of 436 000 tons. This is principally the result of the large volume of low priced imports which have caused serious farmers troubles and civilian unrest in some of the growing areas of the country. Harvesting of the paddy output has been completed and an above-average outturn of about 640 000 tons has been collected.
COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES