India gold edged lower on Friday afternoon, weighed by a strong rupee, which made the dollar-quoted yellow metal cheaper, prompting a few bargain-hunters to stock up, analysts said. * At 1:56 pm, the most-traded gold for August delivery on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) was trading 0.18% lower 22,118 rupees per 10 grams. * "Buying is there, but not to the extent expected," said a dealer with a state-run bullion importing bank, adding premiums over London price was at USD 1.50-2.30 an ounce. * The rupee climbed to a two-month high on Friday, supported by rising dollar inflows, gains in Asian peers and the euro's strength. * The rupee plays an important role in determining the landed cost of the yellow metal, which is quoted in dollars. * Overseas spot gold steadied, ahead of a key US employment report that is expected to show improvement in the labour market and boost optimism on prospects for the world's largest economy. * India, the world's biggest buyer of bullion, is in the middle of the sowing season, when farmers, the traditional buyers of the yellow metal, divert their savings to agricultural equipments and fertilizers.

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