WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Tuesday said the drought in the U.S. Midwest is taking a heavy toll on the crop growing region, and called on Congress to pass a farm bill that would provide more aid to ranchers and farmers.

"We are seeing devastating droughts throughout the country. It is a historic drought and it is having a profound impact on farmers and ranchers all across many states," Obama said, following a meeting with members of the White House Rural Council.

Nearly two-thirds of the continental United States is under moderate to exceptional drought, the worst drought since 1956.

(Reporting By Margaret Chadbourn; Editing by Doina Chiacu)