Noted businessman Abdul Awal Mintoo has been awarded the Top Agri-Food Pioneer (TAP) 2025 by the World Food Prize Foundation for his outstanding contribution to agriculture, food technology and innovation in Bangladesh.

The award was handed over to Mintoo on Wednesday at the Borlaug Dialogue conference held in Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States, said a press release on Friday.

The event was jointly organised by the World Food Prize Foundation (WFPF) and the US Department of State.

This prestigious recognition, coinciding with the Foundation's 39th anniversary, celebrates Mintoo's outstanding contributions to transforming food systems and strengthening global food security.

Lal Teer Seed Ltd and Lal Teer Livestock Development (BD) Ltd are concerns of Multimode Group.

The Foundation gives this award every year to honour individuals who play a leading role in transforming the global agriculture and food system through innovation, sustainability and improvement of farmers’ livelihoods.

Taufiq Uddin Ahmed awarded for contributions to aviation and tourism sectors

The organisers said Mintoo has made remarkable contributions in three areas – improving the quality of Bangladesh’s agriculture and food sector, expanding technology-based farming, and building a market for local agricultural products.

Mintoo is the founder of Lal Teer Seed Ltd and Lal Teer Livestock Development (BD) Ltd, two leading concerns of the Multimode Group.

Founded in 1995, Lal Teer Seed Ltd is now one of the country’s top seed suppliers, meeting around 20 percent of the total national demand.

The company works with about 14,000 contract growers, benefiting around 15 million farmersacross Bangladesh.

In 2011, Mintoo set up Lal Teer Livestock Development (BD) Ltd to boost milk and meat production.

The company produces quality semen from improved breeds of bulls and runs sustainable artificial insemination programmes. Its farmer training and knowledge-sharing initiatives have also helped increase livestock productivity.

Speaking after receiving the award, Mintoo said the honour was the result of the joint efforts of Bangladesh’s farmers, researchers and young entrepreneurs.

Agri-visionary Abdul Awal Mintoo named ‘Global Agri-Food Pioneer’

“This achievement belongs to all who work for our country’s agriculture. We want Bangladesh’s farming to be innovative, sustainable and globally competitive,” he said.

Mashal Husain, President of the World Food Prize Foundation, said the 2025 TAP award highlights individuals who show extraordinary leadership and creativity in building a fair and sustainable global food system.

A law and agricultural economics graduate, Mintoo has long been recognised for his contribution to promoting food and nutrition security in Bangladesh.