The rainy season started with generally above normal rains. First sporadic rains fell in the south-west and the east in late March. Effective rains started in the south-east in early April. They progressed northwards over almost the entire country in mid-April and were above normal in late April. They decreased somewhat in early May but remained above normal and reached the extreme north in late May. In early June, precipitation remained abundant and widespread over the entire country. Planting of millet and sorghum is now well underway. Crops are emerging satisfactorily in the south and the west. Land preparation has started in the extreme north.
Reflecting a below-average harvest in 1997, the overall food supply situation is tight in the areas which gathered reduced crops. Following a downward revision of 1997/98 production figures, the Government has revised the emergency food aid to 76 400 tonnes to cover consumption requirements of 800 000 people for seven months. As of late May, about 50 000 tonnes of food aid had been pledged by various donors, either from external sources or from local aid programmes. This includes 9 000 tonnes for replenishing the national security stock.