Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the prestigious “Agricola Medal” by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) during his visit to Rome, becoming one of the few world leaders to receive the organisation’s highest honour. The award was presented in recognition of India’s contributions toward food security, sustainable agriculture, farmer welfare and global agricultural cooperation.
The honour was conferred at the FAO headquarters in Rome during PM Modi’s Italy visit, the final leg of his six-day, five-nation diplomatic tour. FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu presented the medal and praised India’s efforts in advancing climate-resilient agriculture, digital farming innovations and food distribution systems.
The “Agricola Medal” is the highest civilian recognition awarded by the FAO and is named after the Latin word for “farmer.” It is bestowed upon global leaders and institutions for exceptional contributions toward agricultural development, food sustainability and the fight against hunger.
After receiving the award, PM Modi dedicated the honour to the farmers of India. He stated that the recognition belonged to “millions of hardworking Indian farmers” whose dedication and resilience continue to strengthen the country’s agricultural sector and food security systems. He also emphasized India’s commitment to sustainable farming practices and supporting developing nations in agricultural innovation.
During his address at the FAO headquarters, PM Modi highlighted India’s progress in agriculture over the past decade, including growth in food grain production, digital agriculture initiatives, natural farming and direct benefit transfer schemes for farmers. He also spoke about India’s efforts to ensure food security for vulnerable populations through one of the world’s largest public food distribution systems.
The Prime Minister underlined that India’s agricultural policies increasingly focus on sustainability, water conservation, climate adaptation and technology-driven farming solutions. He noted that India is promoting millet cultivation, organic farming and renewable energy integration in agriculture as part of its long-term environmental and food security goals.
FAO officials reportedly acknowledged India’s role in supporting global food supply chains during periods of international crisis and disruption. India’s assistance to several developing countries through food aid and agricultural cooperation was also highlighted during the ceremony.
The award adds another major international recognition to PM Modi during his ongoing diplomatic outreach. In recent days, he has also received Sweden’s “Royal Order of the Polar Star” and Norway’s “Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit,” reflecting India’s growing global profile across sectors ranging from diplomacy and technology to agriculture and sustainability.
Analysts view the FAO honour as significant because it recognizes not just political leadership but also India’s broader agricultural transformation and its increasing role in global food security discussions. The recognition also comes at a time when climate change, food inflation and supply chain disruptions are posing serious challenges to agricultural systems worldwide.
PM Modi’s visit to the FAO headquarters concluded with discussions on strengthening international cooperation in food security, climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable development, reinforcing India’s ambition to emerge as a leading voice for the Global South in global agricultural and development policy.