On May 20, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the prestigious Agricola Medal for 2026 by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at its headquarters in Rome.
The award was presented by FAO Director-General Dr. Qu Dongyu.
The Prime Minister dedicated the honor to India’s farmers, agricultural scientists, livestock rearers, and fishers.
About the Agricola Medal
The Agricola Medal is the highest honor conferred by the FAO Director-General.
It is awarded to heads of state and prominent leaders who demonstrate extraordinary commitment, political will, and action in support of the FAO's mandate to eradicate hunger, reduce poverty, and ensure global food security.
Key Reasons for Conferment & Recognized Initiatives
The FAO lauded India's structural transformations in its agricultural landscape and its global contributions over the last decade:
Massive Social Safety Net: India successfully managed the world’s largest food-based social safety net, ensuring food security for over 800 million people during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Direct Income Support: Providing financial empowerment and inclusion directly to more than 110 million farmers (through schemes like PM-KISAN).
Global Promotion of Millets: Successfully partnering with the FAO to spearhead the International Year of Millets (2023), elevating the profile of climate-resilient and nutrient-rich "Shree Anna" globally.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Championing DPI as a global public good during India's G20 Presidency to expand digital access in developing nations and improve agricultural service delivery.
Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Developing around 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties over the past 10 years and advancing natural, regenerative farming practices.
Efficient Resource Management: Implementing mission-based approaches like 'Per Drop More Crop' (micro-irrigation) and leveraging AI-based advisory systems, drones, and remote-sensing technologies for precision farming.
