Land preparation has started for planting of winter crops. However, farming activities are delayed by below-normal rainfall and high temperatures in September and October. The 1999 cereal production is estimated at 2.2 million tonnes, some 29 percent below last year. Wheat production stands 1.5 million tonnes, 25 percent below the 1998 level. Imports of cereals, mostly wheat, are forecast at about 6 million tonnes for the 1999/2000 (July/June) marketing year.
Planting of the mostly irrigated wheat crop is underway. The 1999 wheat production stands at about 6.3 million tonnes, some 4 percent up on last year. Maize output is estimated at 5.2 million tonnes and total cereal at about 17 million tonnes. The recently harvested rice crop is estimated at about 6 million tonnes, some 34 percent above last year's level. It is also above average as a result of a large increase in area planted and good yields.
Land preparation has started for winter crops but farming activities are delayed as a result of below normal rainfall in September and October. Production of cereals in 1999 is estimated at 3.8 million tonnes, some 42 percent below last year's crop, due to unfavourable weather conditions. The output of wheat, estimated at about 2.1 million tonnes, is 51 percent lower than last year while barley is down 25 percent. Imports of wheat in 1999/2000 (July/June) are forecast at 2.8 million tonnes and coarse grains at 1.6 million tonnes.
Rainfall in September and October was below normal, delaying the start of the new crop season. However, abundant rains were received in early November, covering most parts of the country, particularly the northern cereal growing regions. This allowed farmers to complete ploughing and start sowing cereal crops to be harvested next April/May. The 1999 cereal production is now estimated at 1.8 million tonnes, 9 percent higher than last year's output. This includes 1.4 million tonnes of wheat and 410�000 tonnes of barley. Cereals imports in 1999/2000 (July/June) are now estimated at about 1.5 million tonnes, mostly wheat and maize.
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