Following abundant and widespread rains in January, rainfall in February and March was lighter and irregular, particularly in the south. Despite an adequate supply of seeds and other agricultural inputs, plantings were constrained by the late start of rains and are forecast to be much below the 1996/97 level. As a result, timely and well distributed rains are needed until the end of April to avoid a significant harvest reduction from the already below-average output in 1997. Nevertheless, stocks and planned grain imports are expected to meet requirements in the 1998/99 marketing year.