Monsoon seen above average in past week: Sources

India's monsoon rains were slightly above average in the week to July 11, weather office sources said on Thursday, confirming the revival of the rains after a fortnight-long pause over central India.

"The weekly rainfall is going to be slightly above normal," one of the sources told Reuters, on condition of anonymity. Official figures from the India Meteorological Department are due later on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Farm Minister Sharad Pawar said the rains had improved, speeding up sowing of major summer crops such as rice and cotton.

The annual June to September monsoon is crucial for much of India's agriculture, with 55% of its arable land rain-fed. Rains had been 30% below average from June 1 to July 4 and now that deficit should narrow to about 22% below average, according to the sources.