Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the prestigious Agricola Medal by the Food and Agriculture Organization during a special ceremony held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome on Wednesday, marking a significant international recognition of India’s efforts in agricultural transformation, food security, and sustainable farming.
The Agricola Medal is the highest honour awarded by the FAO and is reserved for world leaders who have demonstrated exceptional vision, political commitment, and measurable contributions towards advancing agriculture, reducing hunger, and strengthening global food systems. The recognition places Modi among a select group of international leaders who have previously received the distinction, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, King Abdullah II of Jordan and former Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
The award ceremony at the FAO headquarters was attended by senior officials of the United Nations agency, diplomats, and representatives from member nations. FAO officials acknowledged India’s growing role in shaping global conversations on sustainable agriculture and nutritional security, particularly under Modi’s leadership.
In its citation, the FAO highlighted India’s strides in transforming its agrifood systems through policies aimed at improving productivity, resilience, and inclusivity in the farm sector. The organisation particularly noted the large-scale expansion of biofortified crop varieties, efforts to strengthen food distribution systems, and initiatives designed to empower smallholder farmers across rural India.
Accepting the honour, Modi said the recognition belonged to India’s farmers and agricultural workers who continue to play a critical role in ensuring food security for one of the world’s largest populations. “This honour is dedicated to the hardworking farmers of India whose resilience and dedication have strengthened the nation’s food systems and contributed to global food security,” he said during the ceremony.
He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and international cooperation in combating hunger. “The world today faces multiple challenges, ranging from climate change to supply chain disruptions. Sustainable farming, innovation, and collective global action are essential to ensuring that no one goes hungry,” Modi said.
The FAO praised India’s emphasis on climate-resilient agriculture and nutrition-focused farming, noting that the country’s policies have increasingly aligned agricultural production with broader health and sustainability goals. Programmes promoting millet cultivation, natural farming practices, digital agricultural services, and farmer welfare schemes were also referenced as examples of India’s evolving agrarian framework.
India has maintained a longstanding association with the FAO since becoming a founding member of the organisation in 1945. Established in the aftermath of the Second World War, the FAO was created to coordinate international efforts to eradicate hunger and improve agricultural productivity worldwide. Headquartered in Rome, the agency now comprises 195 members and works across sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and rural development.
Over the decades, India has played an active role in several FAO-led initiatives related to food security, agricultural innovation, and South-South cooperation. In recent years, New Delhi has increasingly projected itself as a voice for developing nations on issues related to climate adaptation, resilient food systems, and equitable agricultural growth.
The conferment of the Agricola Medal comes at a time when food security and sustainable agriculture have become central concerns globally amid climate-related disruptions, geopolitical conflicts, and rising pressure on supply chains. Analysts say the recognition further reinforces India’s growing international profile in the agricultural and development sectors.
The honour also reflects the broader diplomatic engagement between India and multilateral institutions, particularly in areas linked to sustainability, nutrition, and rural development. With India continuing to advocate for technology-driven and climate-conscious farming practices, the FAO recognition is being viewed as both a symbolic and substantive endorsement of the country’s agricultural policy direction on the global stage.