FAO’s Agricola Medal to Prime Minister Modi

Honouring Food security, Sustainable development and Human welfare

Dr. Parveen Kumar*

The historic plenary hall in headquarters of Food and Agricultural Organization at Rome on May 20 bear testimony to the recognition of country’s endaveour in addressing food security, sustainable agriculture and human welfare at the highest level. Prime Minister of the country Sh. Narendra Modi became the second PM of the country after Dr. Manmohan Singh to be conferred with the prestigious Agricola Medal for 2026 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. It was a moment of pride for every Indian as Hon’ble Primeminister of the country received the award in presence of several dignitaries including Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives of FAO member countries, senior leadership of FAO, representatives from other UN agencies in Rome including the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) and Indian nationals serving in the UN bodies. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to FAO Headquarters was the first by an Indian Head of Government in the last 30 years. Prime Minister while receiving the award from Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director General of FAO dedicated the award to Indian farmers and the Indian agricultural scientific community, who tirelessly work to ensure food security and nutrition for Indians and for people around the World. Mr. Modi underlined that the recognition was a tribute to India’s commitment to human welfare, food security and sustainable development. Highlighting the centrality of agrarian life in India, Prime Minister emphasized that agriculture was a sacred bond between Mother Earth and the Indian people.

The FAO Agricola Medal, the organization’s highest award is conferred by the FAO Director General on extraordinary leaders who demonstrated commitment and action in support of FAO’s mandate to eradicate hunger, reduce poverty, and ensure food security. The Director General while congratulating PM Modi duly recognized and acknowledged Prime Minister of India for his invaluable contribution and long commitment to the wellbeing of India and all people. During his tenure, Prime minister introduced landmark schemes to enhance agricultural productivity, bolstering food security and improving farmer’s livelihoods. Dr. Quo acknowledged PM of his unwavering support to FAO’s mandate in the fight against hunger and poverty and the pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as well as his efforts to prioritize agri-food systems and rural development on the international agenda including during India’s G20 Presidency. The FAO Director-General lauded Prime Minister Modi’s exceptional leadership and vision in advancing India’s efforts to transform the country’s agricultural landscape through farmer-centric, innovative, and path-breaking initiatives.

India since Independence has made rapid strides in agriculture and allied sectors. From once faced with the challenge of feeding burgeoning population immediately after independence to self sufficiency and surpluses, the journey all through the last seven decades has been unparallel. It was possible only due to the farmer centric and pro-farm initiatives of respective governments. The efforts of government were duly supported by our agricultural institutes and organizations engaged in research, extension and teaching. A vast scientific men power together with skilled and supporting staff working in these institutes and organizations ensued that country no more has to depend upon imports.  Our farming community comprising of farmers, farm women and youths which was prompt in adopting the new seeds and other technological interventions in the green revolution era contributed in making the country a food surplus nation from what once used to be a food deficit nation. Primeminister Modi rightly dedicated this honour to India’s millions of farmers, livestock rearers, fish farmers, agricultural scientists, and workers. The Prime Minister termed it recognition of the immense contributions and achievements of millions of hard-working smallholder farmers of India and the scientific and research community to national and global food security.

India has started so many initiatives for upliftment of agriculture sector. Some of the initiatives include PMKISAN providing direct income support to more than 110 million farmers, largest food based safety net covering 800 million peoples since the COVID-19  pandemic, moving on from food to nutritional security though development of various biofortified varieties of different crops, reviving and restoring soil health though pan India initiatives like Soil Health Cards (SHCs) and Natural Farming, promotion of various resource conservation technologies like Per drop-More crop, combating climate change through development of crop resilient varieties, digitization of agriculture extension services through various apps and social media, use of Artificial Intelligence aimed at furthering mechanization though drones and robots, precision farming through sensors and remote sensing and creation of digital public infrastructure through Agri-stacking. To attract and retain the younger generation in agriculture sector, the country has come up with an enabling environment for agri-preneurship through establishment of various agricultural related ventures. The ultimate aim is to take on agriculture as a commercial profession instead of a subsistence one and for the youths to become job providers instead of job seekers. The startup culture in the country has already shown amazing and desired results. Focus on women centric initiatives through their capacity building, awareness and sensitization and mobilization is also another area where country is focusing a lot. Among the India global efforts to promote and consume nutrient rich healthy food is the focus on Millets. On India’s first, the year 2023 was celebrated as International Year of Millets  in partnership with FAO. In the last 10 years, India had developed around 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties. India’s science-driven agriculture is strengthening global food security, in particular for countries in the Global South.

Director General also expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Modi’s visionary drive to position digital public infrastructure as a global public good during India’s G-20 Presidency. He termed it as a transformative step toward enabling access to digital technologies in developing countries for efficient service delivery and empowering communities. These sustained efforts, he noted, have contributed to India lifting millions out of poverty.

Primeminister Modi too recognized the seminal contribution of the global body in ensuring food and nutritional security in most affected regions of the world and at the same time recalling the organization as a steadfast partner in India’s journey towards becoming a self-reliant global agricultural powerhouse. Hon’ble Primeminister did not forget to highlight contributions of two Indians’; the Noble Laureate Late Dr. M. S. Swaminathan the architect of India’s Green Revolution and Late B. R Sen, the first Director-General of FAO from a developing country whose work profoundly shaped FAO’s efforts and influenced global food and agriculture discourse.

As a founding member of Food and Agriculture Organization, Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi has also reaffirmed India’s readiness to further deepen the already buoyant collaboration with FAO and to work within the framework of Four Betters viz Better production; Better nutrition; Better environment and a Better life without leaving anyone behind.

(The author writes on agriculture and social issues can be reached at pkumar6674@gmail.com)