Following dry conditions in October, above-normal rains in November allowed widespread planting of 1997/98 crop in northern parts of the country. In southern areas, light to moderate rainfall in November provided sufficient topsoil moisture for land preparation and planting of winter crops. The emergence and establishment of early planted crops is reported to be satisfactory. The planting of winter crops will continue until December.
Isolated solitary adult desert locusts may appear in the extreme south-west during periods of warm southerly winds.
Following unfavourable growing conditions, production of cereals in 1997, mainly wheat and barley, estimated at 4 million tons, was 60 percent lower than in 1996. As a result, imports of wheat in 1997/98 (July/June) are forecast at 2.4 million tons, up from 1.1 million tons in 1996/97.