The rainy season started in mid March and rains remained widespread until the third dekad of June when they decreased significantly. Rainfall remained very limited in the south and the centre during July and the first half of August, and resumed from late August to late October. Although August is usually a dry month in the south, the dry period was longer than usual this year, and is likely to have affected the rice and maize crops in this area, and also delayed the planting of the second maize crop. Millet and sorghum are currently being harvested in the north and the prospects are favourable. In the south, cereal output is expected to be about or below average due to erratic rainfall. Like in 1996, the production of roots and tubers is likely to be higher than average, and to compensate for the decrease in cereal production. First estimates point to a 1997 production of 1.724 million tons of cereals, which is below last year�s level and about 13 million tons of roots and tubers.
The food supply situation is satisfactory. Some Togolese refugees still remain in Ghana after large repatriations in 1996. About 30 000 Liberian refugees are also receiving food assistance. The 1997 cereal import requirement is estimated at 387 000 tons, mostly wheat and rice.