NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday was conferred the FAO Agricola Medal, the highest honour of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, in recognition of his contribution to food security, sustainable agriculture and rural development.The award was presented at the FAO headquarters in Rome by Director-General Dr Qu Dongyu during a ceremony in the historic Plenary Hall. PM Modi, who is on the final leg of his five-nation tour, arrived in Italy on Tuesday night. Describing the recognition as a collective honour, he said it belonged to those engaged in India’s farm sector.“This is an honour to India’s millions of farmers, livestock rearers, fish farmers, agricultural scientists, and workers. This is also an honour to India’s unwavering commitment, at the centre of which lies human welfare, food security, and Sustainable Development,” he said.The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s broader agricultural approach, stressing the balance between productivity and sustainability. He said the country was shifting focus towards “Producing Better” rather than only “Producing More”, with emphasis on biodiversity and reduced dependence on chemical fertilisers.Highlighting the role of innovation, PM Modi said modern tools such as AI-based advisory systems, drones, remote sensing and digital public infrastructure were transforming farming practices and improving incomes. He also noted that India has developed around 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties in the past decade.He reiterated that food security is not merely a policy objective but a responsibility towards humanity, adding that India’s experience shows scale and sustainability can go together when technology and inclusion are combined.The FAO Agricola Medal is among the organisation’s most prestigious honours, awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to global food security, nutrition and agricultural development.
