Monsoon deficiency to narrow down: IMD

"As of now, deficiency is 22 per cent. The deficiency will fill up in the coming days, as monsoon is likely to improve in the eastern, central and Indo-Gangetic plains," IMD Director General L S Rathore told reporters here, after a meeting with the Food Minister K V Thomas.

Although the monsoon is not active, it is not sluggish either he said, adding that the eastern coast, central India and north east are getting fairly good rains. Even Maharashtra and parts of peninsula are having rain. "The only concern is north west India and interior peninsula," Rathore said.

On the likely impact of deficient rains on kharif crops, Rathore said, "There is concern about coarse cereals and situation of rest crops is fine."

India had produced a record 252.56 million tonnes of foodgrains in 2011-12 crop year (July-June) on good monsoon last year. Monsoon rains are crucial for the agriculture sector, which contributes about 15 per cent to the country`s GDP, as only 40 per cent of the total cultivable area is under irrigation.