South-west monsoon is likely to be below normal this season, government announced on Wednesday raising concerns about its impact on agriculture and economy. "South-west monsoon from June to September is likely to be below normal," Earth Sciences Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

This is three per cent less than what the India Meteorological Department had forecast in April. Chavan was subjected to a volley of questions, including whether he visualised the monsoon scenario as worrisome, whether the country is in for a drought and whether he foresaw a situation of water-rationing.

Farmers in most parts of the country had to defer sowing for major cash crops like sugarcane, rice, bajra, maize and monsoon failure may make the task of sustaining growth rates more challenging for the government.

Although farm sector accounts for less than 20 per cent of gross domestic product, the country was hoping that a good crop would prop up growth, especially when other sectors are not doing so well given the global slowdown.

However, weather scientists expect the monsoon system to gather momentum in the next couple of days and most parts of the country will receive "good rains" in July and August, key months for the farm sector.

"Rainfall over the country as a whole in the month of July is likely to be 93 per cent of the Long Period Average and that in the month of August is likely to be 101 per cent of the LPA," Chavan said.