Expert views - India's monsoon rains seen at average levels in 2017

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's crucial monsoon rains are expected to be average in 2017, a senior official at the weather office said on Tuesday, easing concerns over farm and economic growth in the world's leading producer of an array of farm goods.

Monsoon rains in 2017 would be 96 percent of a long-term average, K. J. Ramesh, director general of the state-run India Meteorological Department, told a news conference.

COMMENTARY

B.B. THOMBRE, PRESIDENT, WESTERN INDIA SUGAR MILLS ASSOCIATION, MUMBAI

"Sugar production will recover in 2017/18 due to good rainfall. We may not need to import sugar. Sugar cane area has risen as last year rainfall was abundant. This year's rainfall will help in boosting yields."

SURENDRA MEHTA, SECRETARY, INDIA BULLION AND JEWELLERS ASSOCIATION, MUMBAI

"Nearly two-third of gold demand comes from rural areas. Good monsoon rainfall will increase farmers' income and consequently demand from the countryside."

(Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav, Suvashree Dey Choudhury and Abhirup Roy; Compiled by Rafael Nam)