The World Food Prize Foundation of the United States has awarded 39 people from 27 countries of the world as Top Agri Food Pioneers for 2025. Abdul Awal Mintoo, a top entrepreneur, politician and Chairman and CEO of Lal Teer Seeds Limited of Bangladesh, has been included in the list.
He received this award in recognition of his special contribution to the agriculture and food sector over the past four decades. The first person from Bangladesh to receive the World Food Prize was the late Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, the founding chairman of BRAC.
The World Food Prize Foundation announced the names of the award winners on Tuesday night. This award is called the Nobel of the agriculture and food sector. It is said about these awardees that these talented people have enriched the world beyond their country's borders through their activities. They have done special work to build a sustainable and equitable global food system in the world. They have been able to showcase their extraordinary diversity, talent and determination to the world. They are creating a new future for food.
Abdul Awal Mintu has been making an immense contribution to the development of Bangladesh's agriculture, especially the seeds, vegetables and livestock sectors. He originally started his business in 1981. However, in 1994, he built a research laboratory and farm for seed development on just 25 acres of land. He named it Lal Teer Seeds Limited. That institution is now the seventh top institution among the countries of South and Southeast Asia under the supervision of the United Nations' partner organization. He has established the only international seed testing laboratory in Bangladesh. Apart from Lal Teer, there is no ISTA-certified seed laboratory in Bangladesh.
In addition to being an entrepreneur, he has taken degrees in agricultural economics and higher education in various subjects related to agriculture. He has spread light in the country by conducting research in the light of his knowledge and experience. The extraordinary achievement of his research is the unveiling of the mystery of the life of buffalo for the first time in the country. In addition, he introduced the first improved semen for fattening cows in the country. He is the architect behind the leap in vegetable production in the country. He was the first to introduce improved seeds, including hybrid seeds, in the country privately.
In this regard, Abdul Awal Mintu said, “I am trying to work for the betterment of farmers. I want to contribute to food security through advanced technology and research in the development of agriculture, food and nutrition. I am doing my work despite various adversities. However, this award will further encourage me to accomplish new things in the coming days. I want to continue working for the welfare of the people of the country in terms of food security as well as nutritional security.”
The World Food Prize Foundation said that the awardees will be formally honored at the organization's 39th anniversary celebration. The award will be presented during the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue held in Des Moines of Iowa in USA, on October 21-23, 2025.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
