Mintoo awarded 2025 Top Agri-food Pioneer (TAP) by the World Food Prize Foundation
Dhaka: The World Food Prize Foundation has awarded Mr. Abdul Awal Mintoo, the founder of Lal Teer Seed Ltd and Lal Teer Livestock Development (BD) Ltd, the Top Agri-Food Pioneer (TAP), 2025. This prestigious recognition, coinciding with the Foundation’s 39th anniversary, celebrates Mr. 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 founded by Abdul Awal Mintoo in 1981.
The World Food Prize Foundation, based in Iowa, USA, honors individuals who have made exceptional achievements in improving the quality, quantity, and availability of food worldwide. The Foundation’s 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 food sustainability. The award celebrates individuals whose work had a profound impact on the global system, reflecting innovative science, leadership and dedication to addressing critical issues in agriculture and food security. The selection of the Laureates is announced in Washington D.C., in the spring of the year. The World Food Prize are awarded in partnership with the U.S. Department of State. The Laureates were honored at the prestigious Laureate Award Ceremony, held at the historic State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa, during the annual Borlaug Dialogue on October 22, 2025.
“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, World Food Prize Foundation. “In a world facing urgent and interwoven crises, these honorees are fearless change-makers driving impact where it matters most and offering real hope for the future.
Transforming Bangladesh’s Food Landscape
In the 1990s, Bangladesh struggled with poor seed production and low crop productivity. Recognizing the urgent need for quality seeds, Mr. Mintoo, the Chairman of Multimode Group founded Lal Teer Seed Ltd in 1995, pioneering the country’s first research-based seed company. Today, Lal Teer is Bangladesh’s largest ISO-certified seed producer, supplying nearly 20% of the national seed demand. Lal Teer engaged about 14,000 contract growers for seed production and approximately 15 million farmers are beneficiary of Lal Teer Seed.
To promote nutrition and income diversification, Mr. Mintoo championed the development and introduction of hybrid vegetables in Bangladesh. He introduced vegetables into rice-based farming systems, enabling smallholder farmers and homestead gardeners to increase 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.
Lal Teer’s MNT Seed Testing Laboratory holds ISTA and Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB) accreditations, while its biotechnology lab continues to develop disease- and climate-resilient crop varieties. In recognition of its R&D excellence, seed production locally, meet up domestic demand, export and international presence, Lal Teer ranked 7th in South and Southeast Asia in the Access to Seed Index 2021.
Expanding into Livestock Development
In 2011, Mr. Mintoo expanded Lal Teer, establishing Lal Teer Livestock Development (BD) Ltd to improve meat and milk production, producing quality semen from genetically superior bulls for sustainable artificial insemination. Mr. Mintoo’s extensive interactions with the farmers through gatherings and knowledge sharing programs has improved livestock productivity in Bangladesh. His relentless efforts to enhance food and nutrition security have made him an iconic figure in Bangladesh agriculture sector.
“Food security begins with empowering farmers,” Mr. Mintoo said at the award giving 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 also emphasized on developing resilient varieties to battle the climate change and global warming.