Hillary talks of agri cooperation

NEW DELHI: Hillary Clinton on Sunday expressed US commitment in working with India in the area of agriculture, particularly in developing seeds with increased productivity. Terming agriculture as one of the five pillars of the Indo-US engagement, Ms Clinton visited the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI).

���We will be announcing five pillars of our cooperation with India. One of the strongest will be agriculture,��� she said after a tour of the institute. IARI in collaboration with American research institutions and universities is working on projects to increase seed productivity. Ms Clinton said the Obama administration was keen to invest in agriculture. ���India���s leadership in agriculture is absolutely crucial...We will work and support Indian initiative,��� she said, adding: ���We have to work together. It is imperative that we invest in science that increases crop yield.���

The Indo-US agriculture cooperation was given a boost during the time of the previous administration, with the aim of bringing the second green revolution in India. But the Obama administration clearly has its own views on the subject. ���We are going to explore partnership (in agriculture). We can be helpful to India,��� she said, adding the private sector had an important role to play.

Ms Clinton, whose visit to the Pusa institute was her second engagement of the day, was received by agricultural minister Sharad Pawar. Mr Clinton also toured the research site of IARI where she was shown direct-seeded rice, a technology that allows more efficient use of water.