Seasonably hot and dry conditions prevail. Higher than normal temperatures were reported in early February. Harvesting of recession or irrigated crops is underway and prospects are more favourable than in the previous year. Due to a long dry spell in July/August, the 1997 aggregate rainfed cereal production is estimated to be 20 percent below the previous year’s level and below average.
Following the reduced cereal harvest in 1997, the overall food supply situation is going to be tight during the 1997/98 marketing year. In urban areas, food supply is adequate and prices of rice remain stable. In rural areas, supplies and prices of rice also remain generally stable but those of coarse grains are increasing, notably in the north and the centre-north which gathered a poor rainfed crop and are considered to be most at risk. Following an initial food distributions programme in the affected areas in late 1997, the Government launched in January an appeal for food assistance amounting to 82 600 tonnes of cereals to cover the needs of about 2.5 million affected people.