Singh lauded for boosting Indian agriculture

New Delhi - FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf today conferred the UN organization’s highest award, the Agricola Medal, on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in recognition of his contribution to agricultural development and the reduction of hunger and poverty.

“With your deep understanding of India’s economy you have made modernizing and revitalizing your country’s agriculture one of your highest priorities,” Dr Diouf said.

India is the world’s second largest agricultural producer after China, with farming employing over 60 percent of the population and accounting for 18.5 percent of GDP.

Noting that the flow of credit to Indian farmers had almost doubled in the last four years, Dr Diouf told Mr Singh that he had shown “exemplary vision and resolve” in promoting the growth of Indian agriculture.

Horticultural production is set to double by 2012 while plans are underway to increase national Rice, Wheat and Pulses production by 20 million tons, thus significantly improving domestic food security.

Esteem and admiration

“Thanks to your efforts, agricultural growth in your country is on the path to contributing more to the fast growth of a global economy that includes the needs of vulnerable citizens,” Dr Diouf told Mr Singh.

He assured the Prime Minister of FAO’s and his own “esteem and admiration for all you are doing to feed your people and to make the issues of poverty and malnutrition a central focus of attention at home and internationally”.