NEW DELHI: Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on Wednesday conferred on PM Narendra Modi the Agricola Medal, its highest honour, in recognition of his govt’s landmark schemes to enhance agricultural productivity, bolster food security and further farmers’ welfare, besides his overall commitment to public welfare. Receiving the award in Rome from the specialised UN agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food security, PM Modi said it reflected India’s unwavering commitment to food security and sustainable development, and was an honour for the country’s farmers and others working in the sector. FAO director general Qu Dongyu lauded the “exceptional leadership and vision of the Prime Minister in advancing the country’s efforts to transform India’s agricultural landscape through farmer-centric, innovative and path-breaking initiatives”. He also highlighted his govt’s financial inclusion initiatives, the world’s largest food-based social safety net covering 800 million people since the Covid pandemic, direct income support to more than 110 million farmers, national efforts to advance regenerative and natural farming and global efforts to promote nutrient-rich millets, including through the International Year of Millets in partnership with FAO. The honour is bound to add to PM Modi’s political muscle in countering the opposition, which has accused him of crony capitalism, saying this has happened at the expense of farmers and the working class. Since taking office in 2014, Modi govt has come up with several schemes, including annual cash assistance of Rs 6,000 for farmers and crop insurance, to help the farm sector. However, Congress and other opposition parties have accused him of working for big corporate houses and not doing enough for farmers. They have cited his govt’s enactment of farm reform laws, withdrawn later due to protests by a section of farmers, as one example in this context.