The World Food Prize Foundation has honoured prominent Bangladeshi business leader and politician Abdul Awal Mintoo as one of its '2025 Top Agri-Food Pioneers (TAP)'.
This prestigious recognition celebrates his profound and lasting impact on agriculture and food security, not only within Bangladesh but also on a global scale.
Mintoo, who chairs Lal Teer Seed Limited, has been instrumental in revolutionizing Bangladesh's agricultural landscape. His company is a cornerstone of the nation's food production, meeting a significant 30 percent of Bangladesh's total seed demand. This achievement is particularly vital given the country's struggle with poor seed production and supply, which historically led to low crop yields until the 1990s.
Recognising this critical need, Mintoo, under the umbrella of Multimode Group, established Lal Teer Seed Limited in 1995. This strategic move provided a much-needed boost to food security by ensuring farmers had access to high-quality seeds crucial for improved yields.
Beyond seeds, Mintoo's contributions extend to crucial areas of agricultural development. With master's degrees in law and agricultural economics from the University of London, he championed crop diversification, particularly by introducing vegetables into traditional rice-based farming systems.
This initiative has significantly improved nutrition and income opportunities for marginal farmers, helping to break cycles of poverty.
His vision further expanded in 2011 with the establishment of Lal Teer Livestock Development Limited. Here, the focus shifted to enhancing meat and milk production. The company produces high-quality semen from genetically superior bulls, facilitating sustainable artificial insemination and boosting livestock productivity. Mintoo's direct engagement with farmers through extensive gatherings and knowledge-sharing programs has been key to these advancements.
Mintoo's tireless dedication to bolstering food and nutrition security has cemented his status as an iconic figure in Bangladesh's agriculture sector. This international accolade from the World Food Prize Foundation underscores the global significance of his pioneering efforts.