PM Modi conferred Food and Agricultural Organisation's highest honour, Agricola Medal, for contribution to global food security

The FAO Agricola Medal — the Food and Agriculture Organization's highest honour — was conferred on India's head of government at a ceremony held at FAO headq...

What Happened

The FAO Agricola Medal — the Food and Agriculture Organization's highest honour — was conferred on India's head of government at a ceremony held at FAO headquarters in Rome.
The award was presented by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu at the historic FAO Plenary Hall on 20 May 2026.
The citation recognised contributions to fighting hunger, achieving universal food security, advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals, and prioritising agriculture during India's G20 Presidency (2023).
The award was dedicated to India's farming community — including farmers, livestock keepers, fish farmers, agricultural scientists, and workers.
This is the second time an Indian head of government has received this honour; the first was in 2008.
The FAO DG specifically highlighted India's direct income-support programme for over 110 million farmers, the push for regenerative and natural farming, and the promotion of nutrient-rich millets globally.
India's food-based social safety net — covering approximately 800 million people — was also cited as a model intervention.

Static Topic Bridges

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

The FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations established in 1945 and headquartered in Rome, Italy. Its primary mandate is to defeat hunger, improve nutrition, and ensure food security for all. With 195 member states, FAO coordinates international efforts and provides technical assistance on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.

Founded: 16 October 1945 (World Food Day is marked on this date annually)
Headquarters: Rome, Italy
Mission: SDG 2 — Zero Hunger; SDG 1 — No Poverty
India is a founding member and has been a consistent contributor to FAO norm-setting bodies
FAO Director-General is elected by the Conference for a four-year term

Connection to this news: The Agricola Medal is awarded by the FAO Director-General to leaders who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to FAO's core mandate of eradicating hunger and advancing food security globally.

The Agricola Medal

The Agricola Medal is the FAO's highest and most prestigious individual honour. "Agricola" is the Latin word for "farmer," directly linking the award to its agrarian purpose. The medal is conferred upon exceptional national or international figures who have made outstanding contributions to advancing global food security, sustainable agriculture, poverty alleviation, and nutrition.

Named after: The Latin word agricola ("farmer"), not directly named after a specific person
Awarded by: The FAO Director-General
Notable past recipients: Pope John Paul II (1998), President Michael D. Higgins of Ireland, former Indonesian President Joko Widodo (2024)
Criteria: Distinguished commitment to sustainable food production, global food security, and international cooperation

Connection to this news: India receiving this award in 2026 reflects recognition of large-scale food security programmes, the International Year of Millets push (2023), and the turn toward natural and sustainable farming systems.

India's Food Security Initiatives

India has implemented several flagship schemes to strengthen food security, enhance farmer incomes, and promote sustainable agriculture.

PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi): Direct income support of ₹6,000/year in three equal instalments to small and marginal farmers (over 110 million beneficiaries)
PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): Crop insurance scheme providing financial support to farmers suffering crop loss due to natural calamities, pests, and disease
e-NAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market): Pan-India electronic trading portal for agricultural commodities, linking APMC mandis
PKVY (Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana): Promotes organic/natural farming through cluster-based approaches and farmer training
Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): A farming method that eliminates purchased inputs; promoted for soil health and farmer cost reduction
PM Micro Irrigation Fund (PMIF): Under NABARD, to expand micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler) coverage under "Per Drop More Crop"
National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013: Entitles up to 75% rural and 50% urban population to subsidised food grains under PDS

Connection to this news: FAO's citation directly recognised India's direct farmer income-support mechanisms, the natural farming shift, the millet promotion drive, and the expansive public distribution system as globally noteworthy food security interventions.

India and the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) / SDG 2

India has been an active participant in the global food systems transformation agenda. At the 2021 UNFSS, India submitted national food systems pathways committing to sustainable and inclusive food systems. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) calls for ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture by 2030.

SDG 2 target: End hunger and all forms of malnutrition by 2030
India's UNFSS commitment: National pathway focused on small farmer inclusion, soil health, and nutrition security
India's Global Hunger Index (GHI) performance is tracked annually; the country has debated GHI methodology
G20 Agriculture Working Group (2023, India Presidency): Focused on food security, resilient supply chains, and digital agriculture

Connection to this news: India's G20 Agriculture Working Group outcomes were explicitly cited in the FAO DG's address at the medal ceremony, linking India's multilateral diplomatic efforts to its bilateral food security achievements.

International Year of Millets 2023

At India's initiative, the UN General Assembly declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYoM). Millets — including sorghum, bajra, ragi, jowar, and foxtail millet — are climate-resilient, nutrition-dense crops suited to rain-fed dryland agriculture.

Proposal moved by: India (supported by 70+ countries)
FAO's role: Lead agency for IYoM implementation
Significance: Millets require minimal water, are drought-tolerant, and are rich in micronutrients (iron, calcium, zinc)
"Shree Anna" campaign promoted millets at G20 and global platforms
Export promotion: India is the world's leading millet producer (~20% global output)

Connection to this news: The FAO DG's citation specifically highlighted India's global millet promotion as a contribution to food diversity, nutrition security, and climate-resilient agriculture — a key pillar of the Agricola Medal recognition.

Key Facts & Data

FAO established: 16 October 1945; HQ: Rome, Italy
"Agricola" = Latin for "farmer"
India is the second-largest agricultural economy in the world by output
PM-KISAN beneficiaries: 110+ million farmers
India's food safety net under NFSA: ~800 million beneficiaries
First Indian PM to receive the Agricola Medal: 2008 (former PM)
2023: UN International Year of Millets — initiated by India
India's food grain production (2023-24): over 330 million tonnes (record)
SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) is directly linked to FAO's mandate
IHR 2005 Article 12 is not relevant here — this is an agriculture award context