Mintoo named one of 'Top Agri-Food Pioneers'

The World Food Prize Foundation has named renowned business personality Abdul Awal Mintoo as one of the '2025 Top Agri-Food Pioneers (TAP)' in recognition of his significant contributions to agriculture and food security in Bangladesh and beyond.

Mr. Mintoo, also a politician, is the chairman of Lal Teer Seed Limited, a company that plays a crucial role in supplying seeds to meet a substantial portion of Bangladesh's demand.

His other contributions include introducing crop diversification, particularly vegetables, to improve nutrition and income for farmers. Furthermore, he expanded Lal Teer to include livestock development, focusing on improving meat and milk production through quality semen.

Until the 1990s, Bangladesh faced poor seed production and supply, resulting in low yields.

Recognising the need for quality seeds to enhance food security, Mr Mintoo, as the chairman of Multimode Group, established Lal Teer Seed Limited in 1995.

The company now supplies 30 per cent of Bangladesh's total seeds demand.

To improve nutrition and income for marginal farmers, Awal, who holds masters degrees in law and agricultural economics from the University of London, initiated crop diversification by introducing vegetables into rice-based systems.

To break the cycle of poverty, smallholders need access to high-quality seeds that boost yields and incomes. In 2011, Awal expanded Lal Teer, establishing Lal Teer Livestock Development Limited to improve meat and milk production, producing quality semen from genetically superior bulls for sustainable artificial insemination.

His extensive interaction with farmers through gatherings and knowledge-sharing programs has improved livestock productivity. His relentless efforts to enhance food and nutrition security have made him an iconic figure in Bangladesh's agriculture sector.