Why in News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the FAO's Agricola Medal (the Food and Agriculture Organization's highest honour) on May 20, 2026, in Rome, Italy. He became the second Indian Prime Minister to receive this prestigious award, dedicating the win to India's farmers.
Background & Definition
- The Award: It is the highest recognition bestowed directly by the Director-General of the FAO.
- Etymology: "Agricola" is the Latin word for "farmer".
- Eligibility: The medal is exclusively awarded to distinguished world leaders and international figures.
- Core Criteria: It rewards outstanding, long-term contributions toward poverty alleviation, improving nutrition, and fighting global hunger.
Specific Key Reasons for India's 2026 Recognition
- Massive Food Safety Net: The FAO praised India's extensive food security initiatives, notably its social safety net programs that have supported around 800 million people.
- Direct Farmer Support: Inclusion and financial safety nets providing direct income support to over 110 million Indian farmers were heavily lauded.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: India's scientific achievement of developing roughly 3,000 climate-resilient, future-ready crop varieties over the last decade.
- Tech-Driven Ecosystems: The deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), AI-based farming advisories, drones, and precision techniques like ‘Per Drop More Crop’.
- Global Millet Leadership: India's proactive global push—partnering with the FAO—to celebrate the International Year of Millets to promote healthy, sustainable food alternatives.
- Global Influence: The FAO highlighted India's leadership in placing agriculture and universal food security at the centre of the international agenda, especially during its G20 Presidency.
Download Pdf
