Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said on Tuesday that the country should adopt genetically modified (GM) crops in order meet the higher foodgrain requirement under the landmark food security law.

"We have to accelerate the pace of agricultural growth on a sustainable basis to meet the additional requirement of foodgrain for proper implementation of the food security Act," Pawar said as he addressed a national rabi conference.

Patna : The Bihar government on Wednesday declared drought in 33 of the 38 districts as the state has received 668.6 mm rainfall as against the annual average at 892.2 mm — a deficit of 28 per cent

The State government has declared as many as 167 hoblis in 80 taluks of 21 districts has drought affected this year, even as other parts continue to receive excess rainfall.

Citing it a matter of ‘serious concern,’ the government said that some of the hoblis showed all the three drought indicators, including, deficit rain while others showed two.

The government is likely to seek financial aid from the Centre to tackle drought and floods in the State.

Official sources said the government had prepared a memorandum seeking about Rs 475 crore to take up relief works in flood-affected areas, and Rs 744 crore in drought-hit areas.

Combined efforts of the agriculture and revenue departments are a must during the drought survey so that not a single affected farmer is left out, said Agriculture Additional Secretary and District

It will also look into drought-like situation in 51 taluks in State

The State government will set up a Cabinet sub-committee headed by Revenue Minister V Sreenivas Prasad to look into natural calamities in the State.

Sri Lanka’s contribution to global warming was negligible but it was severely affected by the impacts of climate change, Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister Jagath Pushpakum

The Climate Change Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy will shortly commence climate resilient living programme in Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya district and Medirigiriya