PM Modi receives Food and Agriculture Organisation’s highest honour: Agricola Medal
Director-General of FAO Dr. QU Dongyu presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the FAO Agricola Medal for 2026, the Organization’s highest award, in a ceremony held in the historic FAO Plenary Hall at FAO Headquarters Rome.
DG, FAO warmly congratulated the Prime Minster, and said “the medal is in recognition of his contribution and commitment to the welfare of all people; the introduction of landmark schemes during his tenure to enhance agricultural productivity; bolstering food security, and improving farmer’s welfare; his support to FAO’s fundamental goals of fighting hunger and poverty, and attaining universal food security; the pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; and his efforts to prioritise agriculture on the international agenda, including during India’s G20 Presidency.”
DG lauded the exceptional leadership and vision of the Prime Minister in advancing the country’s efforts to transform India’s agricultural landscape through farmer-centric, innovative, and path-breaking initiatives.
The Director General praised India's food and agriculture initiatives rolled out under the leadership of PM Modi for their scale and reach.
He particularly highlighted India’s financial inclusion initiatives, the world's largest food based social safety net covering 800 million people since the COVID pandemic, direct income support to more than 110 million farmers, national efforts to advance regenerative and natural farming, and the global efforts to promote nutrient rich millets including through the International Year of Millets in partnership with FAO.
He appreciated the visionary drive by PM Modi to position digital public infrastructure as a global public good during India’s G-20 Presidency, 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.