Official estimates of the 1997 harvest point to an output of 109 000 tons of cereals, which is below average and much lower than the record crop in 1996. This is partly due a dry spell in February in southern districts and early frost in the last two weeks of April. Maize production is estimated at 90 500 tons, sorghum at 13 000 tons and wheat at 5 300 tons.
Reflecting this drop in output, the food supply situation for the 1997/98 marketing year is expected to be tight. The cereal deficit is anticipated to reach 260 000 tons including about 95 000 tons of food aid for which international assistance may be necessary to meet the needs of vulnerable groups. Food aid pledged so far amount to 6 000 tons, of which 5 000 tons have been delivered.