Favourable conditions continue to benefit crops in most parts of the country. Rainfall until March was normal and crops are in good condition. Provided normal weather continues for the remainder of the season, harvests of cereals and other crops should range from near normal to above normal. A few areas of concern are located in central provinces where heavy rains, which continued through February, could have reduced yields.
The overall food supply situation is expected to continue to improve but food assistance is still required in localized dry areas of the south and areas where farmers may have lost their crops due to floods. Donor assistance may therefore be needed for local purchases and transport of grains to deficit areas. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is currently making an on-the-spot assessment of the harvest outcome and the cereal import requirements, including food aid needs for the 1998/99 marketing year.