Abdul Awal Mintoo wins World Food Prize Foundation honour

The World Food Prize Foundation has honoured Abdul Awal Mintoo, founder of Lal Teer Seed Ltd and Lal Teer Livestock Development (BD) Ltd, with the Top Agri-Food Pioneer (TAP) Award 2025, recognising his pioneering contributions to transforming food systems and strengthening global food security.

The award coincides with the Foundation's 39th anniversary and was announced at the Laureate Award Ceremony held at the historic State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa, during the annual Borlaug Dialogue on 22 October 2025.

Founded in Iowa, USA, the World Food Prize Foundation celebrates individuals who have made exceptional achievements in improving the quality, quantity, and availability of food worldwide. Its Council of Advisors—comprising former heads of state, ministers, and global leaders in agricultural science, education, and policy—oversees the selection of laureates, whose work has significantly advanced human development and sustainability. The awards are presented in partnership with the US Department of State.

"The 2025 TAP list showcases the extraordinary diversity, talent, and resolve of individuals working across borders and disciplines to build a more sustainable and just global food system," said Mashal Husain, President of the World Food Prize Foundation. "In a world facing urgent and interwoven crises, these honourees are fearless change-makers, driving impact where it matters most and offering real hope for the future."

In the 1990s, Bangladesh faced significant challenges in seed production and crop productivity. Recognising the need for high-quality seeds, Mr Mintoo, Chairman of Multimode Group, founded Lal Teer Seed Ltd in 1995—the country's first research-based seed company. Today, Lal Teer is Bangladesh's largest ISO-certified seed producer, supplying nearly 20% of national seed demand and engaging around 14,000 contract growers. More than 15 million farmers benefit from Lal Teer's products nationwide.

To enhance nutrition and income diversity, Mr Mintoo spearheaded the introduction of hybrid vegetables into Bangladesh's rice-based farming systems, enabling smallholders and homestead gardeners to boost yields and earnings. Under his leadership, Lal Teer now exports high-quality seeds to Europe, North America, the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

The company's MNT Seed Testing Laboratory is accredited by both the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) and the Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB), while its biotechnology laboratory continues to develop disease- and climate-resilient crop varieties. In recognition of its research and development excellence and international footprint, Lal Teer ranked seventh in South and Southeast Asia in the Access to Seed Index 2021.

In 2011, Mr Mintoo expanded into the livestock sector by establishing Lal Teer Livestock Development (BD) Ltd, which produces high-quality semen from genetically superior bulls to support sustainable artificial insemination and improve meat and milk production. Through extensive farmer engagement and training, he has contributed to raising livestock productivity and rural incomes.

"Food security begins with empowering farmers," said Mr Mintoo at the award ceremony. "Our mission is to provide them with the tools and knowledge to break the cycle of poverty while contributing to global food resilience." He further emphasised the need to develop climate-resilient varieties to address the challenges of global warming.

Mr Mintoo's lifelong dedication to agricultural innovation and farmer empowerment has made him a transformative figure in Bangladesh's agri-food sector, with a lasting impact on both national and global food systems.