Rome, May 20, 2026 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Agricola Medal at a ceremony held at FAO headquarters in Rome. The medal was presented by FAO Director‑General Qu Dongyu in recognition of India’s contributions to agriculture, food security and rural development.
Modi said he was ‘honoured’ to receive the Agricola Medal and dedicated the award to India’s ‘Annadatas’ — the country’s food providers. In posts on X, he described the honour as a reflection of the hard work of farmers, livestock rearers, fisheries workers, agricultural scientists and innovators, and of India’s commitment to human welfare, sustainable development and food security.
‘It is with great humility that I accepted the FAO Agricola Medal at a ceremony in the FAO Headquarters in Rome. My gratitude to the FAO. I dedicate this honour to India’s Annadatas…our food providers,’ he wrote. In a separate post he added, ‘Honoured to receive the FAO’s Agricola Medal. It reflects India’s unwavering commitment to food security, sustainable development and the hard work of those associated with our agriculture sector.’
Modi also held talks with FAO Director‑General Qu Dongyu at the headquarters, where they discussed key issues related to agriculture and global food security. The Ministry of External Affairs noted the award recognises Modi’s leadership and initiatives that have enhanced agricultural productivity, strengthened food security and supported rural development in India.
The Agricola Medal is among FAO’s highest honours, awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing global food and agriculture systems. The ceremony in Rome came during the final leg of Modi’s five‑nation tour; he arrived in Italy after engagements in Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates. (Source: ANI)
