Following abnormally dry conditions in September and October , light rains in Late October improved conditions for land preparation and planting of the 1997/98 cereal crops. Some delays in planting summer wheat and maize are reported in mountain areas while in lowland areas, land preparation and early planting of fast maturing varieties are underway. Harvest expectations for the winter wheat now at maturing stage have been revised downward as a result of the lack of rainfall in September. The Government has warned farmers about the likelihood of poor rainfall this crop season as a result of the El Niņo phenomenon. Farmers have been encouraged to plant various drought resistant crops and use hybrid seeds.
Reflecting a below-average cereal harvest which was much lower than the record crop in 1996, the national food supply situation for the current marketing year remains tight. The cereal import requirement is expected to be about 260 000 tons, including some 95 000 tons of food aid. Food aid pledged so far amounts to 10 000 tons, which have already been delivered.