Harvesting of the 1997 first season maize crop is about to start following some interruption at planting caused by torrential rains. Provisional forecasts indicate that output should be about 90 000 tons which compares to last year's slightly above-average 85 000 tons. By contrast, paddy production should be again a low 100 000 tons reflecting the continuing government difficulties in financing the import of farm inputs. Satisfactory outputs of vegetables and roots have been so far obtained.
Sugar cane production, a major foreign exchange earner, is expected to decline from last year's 4.45 million tons to about 4.2 million tons, mostly the result of the continuing shortage of agricultural inputs.
Wheat imports in marketing year 1997/98 (July/June) are forecast to be similar to last year's receipts of 650 000 tons. Maize imports should increase slightly to about 255 000 tons. Paddy imports in 1997 are expected to be between 375 000 and 400 000 tons in order to help meet the steady domestic demand.