Rome: At a momentous occasion organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters, the UN Director-General QU Dongyu bestowed on India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the prestigious 2026 FAO Agricola Medal. The award is the organization’s most prestigious accolade, recognizing PM Modi’s outstanding performance and leadership in changing the face of agriculture and food security as well as promoting the cultivation of crops such as millets worldwide. In his speech before an attentive crowd assembled in the historic Plenary Hall, PM Modi explained the reason behind millets being an inevitable choice in ensuring sustainable farming in the face of today’s increasing global challenges.
In his speech, PM Modi called for a paradigm shift in farming and diet systems, saying that “there is need for diversity on our land and our dining tables”.
Furthermore, he highlighted the triple advantages of millets: they are highly nutritious, highly adaptable for cultivation, and environmentally friendly. He explained India’s role as a food-surplus nation in terms of not only policy matters, but also as a global responsibility.
A Superfood for the Consumer, Cultivator, and Climate
PM Modi asserted that millets symbolize the epitome of “smart foods,” which positively impact not only consumers but also farmers and the environment:
Resistance to Climate Change: Millets are exceptionally resistant to drought conditions and require far less water compared to other traditional crops and can grow in semi-arid regions with infertile soil.
Nutrition Security: Being a potent superfood, containing proteins, iron, and zinc, millets play a crucial role in combating global malnutrition problems.
Biodiversity over Monoculture: Cultivation of diverse crops such as millets on agricultural fields will preserve soil fertility and avoid any weaknesses associated with monoculture.
Acknowledgment of Global Leadership
While awarding FAO Agricola medal, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu acknowledged the leadership journey of PM Modi from “an ordinary tea vendor to the leader of the world’s most populated country.” The Indian government has implemented huge social protection programs like “feeding 800 million people” and digital public infrastructure for small farmers. “Food security is more than policy for us; it is our responsibility to humanity,” said PM Modi, dedicating his award to the millions of farmers and agronomists in India.
The Prime Minister stressed the need for global consciousness about creating “Millet Mindfulness.” The international campaign seeks to use these resilient and nutritive smart foods to combat hunger and nurture small farmers in order to create a sustainable agricultural future that can feed the changing world.
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