Dry and very dry weather conditions all over the country during February and March favoured the harvest of the irrigated second season coarse grain crops of year 2000, as well as the preparation and planting of the 2001 rainfed first season crops. Moderate rains at the end of March are helping germination, but more water will be needed in April to assist the normal development of the crop. Paddy output in Colombia in year 2001 is estimated to remain at last year's some 1.8 million tonnes. Rice prices increased by 25 per cent in February, and the government authorized the import of 160 000 tonnes to halt the increase until the month of July, when the harvest of the main season crop is expected.