Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday was conferred with the 2026 Agricola Medal by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at its headquarters in Rome in recognition of his leadership in advancing food security, sustainable agriculture and rural development.
The award was presented by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu during a ceremony held at the organisation’s headquarters.
Receiving the honour, Prime Minister Modi dedicated the award to Indian farmers and the country’s agricultural scientific community for their contribution towards ensuring food security and nutrition in India and globally.
He said the recognition reflected India’s commitment to human welfare, sustainable development and global food security.
Highlighting the importance of agriculture in India’s social and cultural life, PM Modi described farming as a sacred bond between Mother Earth and the people of India.
The Prime Minister said India’s agriculture sector is increasingly being driven by science, innovation and climate-resilient practices to build a sustainable and future-ready ecosystem.
He referred to initiatives such as “Per Drop More Crop”, precision farming and micro-irrigation as key components of India’s agricultural policy framework.
PM Modi also highlighted the growing use of technology in Indian agriculture, including Digital Public Infrastructure, artificial intelligence-based advisory systems, drones, remote sensing technologies and sensor-based machinery to improve productivity and farm incomes.
He said India has developed nearly 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties over the last decade and noted that the country’s science-driven agricultural approach is contributing to global food security, especially in countries of the Global South.
The Prime Minister also recalled India’s longstanding association with the FAO as a founding member and thanked the organisation for supporting India’s efforts to promote nutritious food through the celebration of the International Year of Millets.
PM Modi’s visit to the FAO headquarters marked the first visit by an Indian Head of Government to the organisation in the last 30 years.
