United States’ Ambassador to India Richard Rahul Verma and Indian Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh have agreed to initiate steps to renew the 2010 agri pact between the two big democracies of the World. It is expected that the cooperation will include new areas in agriculture. Mr Singh has expressed interest in the US technology, importantly weather forecasting systems for improving preparedness as well as redressal of problems caused by natural calamities.

According to the Ministry’s statement, India and US have agreed to amicably resolve sanitary and phytosanitary issues between the two countries for enhanced bilateral trade.

The Minister has announced that rains and hailstorm affected 189 lakh hectares of crop area in India.  Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana were the worst hit states in the recent unseasonal rains and hailstorm and these states have sought over Rs 10,100 crore as relief from the Centre for the affected farmers.

Uttar Pradesh tops the list with 94 lakh hectares of crop area affected. In Haryana, 22.24 lakh hectares of crop area was affected while in Rajasthan it stood at 16.89 lakh hectares.