PM Modi gifts Indian grains, millet bars to FAO chief Qu Dongyu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his meeting with Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO DirectorGeneral Qu Dongyu in Rome presented representative samples of Indiarsquos finest grains along with healthy millet bars highlighting the countryrsquos rich agricultural diversity and traditional food heritageThe meeting took place during PM Modirsquos State Visit to Italy where he was also conferred the 2026 Agricola Medal the highest honour awarded by the FAO during a special ceremony held at the organisationrsquos headquarters on WednesdayThe medal was presented by Qu Dongyu at the historic FAO Plenary Hall in recognition of Prime Minister Modirsquos contribution towards food security agricultural development and farmer welfare according to the organisationAs part of the exchange PM Modi gifted curated samples of several indigenous rice varieties from across India each reflecting the agricultural traditions and nutritional richness of different regionsAmong the gifts was Red Rice from Kerala popularly known as Matta or Palakkadan Matta rice an indigenous variety cultivated in the black soil regions of PalakkadRecognised as a GItagged product the rice is known for its reddishbrown colour coarse texture and minimal polishing process which helps preserve its nutritional value Rich in fibre magnesium and Vitamin B6 the grain is considered a significant part of the farming heritage of the Western GhatsThe Prime Minister also gifted Gobindobhog rice from West Bengal an aromatic shortgrain variety widely regarded as one of the finest rice varieties from eastern IndiaKnown for its small oval grains and creamy appearance Gobindobhog rice is famous for its naturally sweet and buttery aroma Its soft and slightly sticky texture after cooking makes it a preferred choice for traditional Bengali dishes such as Payesh and KhichuriAnother gift was Basmati rice often referred to as the Queen of Fragrance originating from the fertile IndoGangetic plains The premium longgrain rice is recognised globally for its slender grains distinctive nutty aroma and fluffy texture after cookingThe rice is generally aged before processing to enhance its fragrance and cooking qualities while also being glutenfree and having a moderate glycaemic indexPM Modi also presented Joha rice a unique aromatic rice variety cultivated in Assamrsquos Brahmaputra Valley Known for its small grains and naturally sweet fragrance caused by high concentrations of volatile oils Joha rice is considered one of the regionrsquos prized indigenous crops Apart from its aroma and delicate buttery flavour the rice is also valued for its antioxidant propertiesKalanamak rice another traditional variety gifted by the Prime Minister originates from the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh particularly Siddharthnagar Commonly referred to as Buddha Rice the ancient grain is distinguished by its black husk and aromatic mediumslender grains Rich in iron zinc and antioxidants Kalanamak rice is also recognised for having a low glycaemic indexAlongside the grains PM Modi gifted healthy millet bars showcasing Indiarsquos growing emphasis on nutritious and climateresilient food productsMillets form an important part of Maharashtrarsquos agricultural heritage and are widely cultivated in regions such as Solapur Ahmednagar and the Marathwada belt Wide varieties include jowar sorghum and bajra pearl millet both wellsuited to semiarid climatic conditions and low rainfall regionsThese traditional grains are valued for their high nutritional content including dietary fibre protein and essential minerals Presented in the form of millet bars the products reflected a blend of traditional Indian agriculture with modern healthconscious food practices and convenient consumption patternsThe gifts highlighted Indiarsquos agricultural diversity focus on nutrition and sustainability and its efforts to promote traditional grains and millets globally as part of a healthier and climateresilient food ecosystemThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever