Planting of main wet season paddy is underway and will be completed soon. Although final outcome will depend heavily on the quantity and distribution of rainfall over the next few months, so far this monsoon season conditions have been generally favourable for crops. However, in the provinces of Takeo, Prey Veng and Stung Treng, farming activities for the cultivation of paddy are behind schedule due to unfavourable weather. The area planted is expected to be above average this year. The 1997/98 target for paddy production has been set at 3.6 million tons, slightly higher than output in 1995/96. Aggregate paddy production in 1996/97, was around 3.39 million tons, from an area of 2.17 million hectares.