The World Food Prize Foundation has honored Mr. Abdul Awal Mintoo, Founder of Lal Teer Seed Ltd, Lal Teer Livestock Development (BD) Ltd, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of National Bank PLC, with the 2025 Top Agri-Food Pioneer (TAP) award. This global recognition celebrates his extraordinary contributions to transforming food systems, empowering farmers, and strengthening global food security. Both Lal Teer companies are concerns of Multimode Group, founded by Mr. Mintoo in 1981.
The World Food Prize Foundation, headquartered in Iowa, USA, recognizes individuals who have made remarkable achievements in improving food quality, quantity, and accessibility. The Foundation’s Council of Advisors—comprising former Heads of State, Ministers, and leaders in agricultural science and policy—oversees the laureate selection process. Each year, honorees are celebrated for their innovation, leadership, and commitment to addressing global challenges in agriculture and nutrition.
The 2025 laureates were honored at the Laureate Award Ceremony, held at the historic State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa, during the annual Borlaug Dialogue on 22 October 2025, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State.
“The 2025 TAP list showcases the extraordinary diversity, talent, and resolve of individuals working across borders 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 faced a crisis of poor seed quality and low crop productivity. Recognizing this challenge, Mr. Mintoo established Lal Teer Seed Ltd in 1995 — the country’s first research-based private seed company — revolutionizing Bangladesh’s agriculture sector.
Today, Lal Teer is Bangladesh’s largest ISO-certified seed producer, meeting nearly 20% of national seed demand. The company works with about 14,000 contract growers, benefiting over 15 million farmers nationwide.
To promote nutritional diversity and income growth, Mr. Mintoo pioneered the introduction of hybrid vegetables in Bangladesh, integrating them into the rice-based farming system. This innovation has significantly boosted productivity and income for smallholder farmers. Lal Teer now exports seeds to Europe, North America, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Lal Teer’s MNT Seed Testing Laboratory is accredited by ISTA and the Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB), while its biotechnology division continues to develop disease- and climate-resilient crop varieties. In 2021, Lal Teer was ranked 7th in South and Southeast Asia in the Access to Seed Index for its R&D excellence, export performance, and impact on regional food systems.
Expanding into Livestock Development
Building on his agricultural success, Mr. Mintoo founded Lal Teer Livestock Development (BD) Ltd in 2011 to enhance meat and milk production in Bangladesh through sustainable breeding and artificial insemination using genetically superior bulls.
Through continuous farmer engagement, training, and innovation, he has strengthened the livestock sector’s productivity and resilience. His work continues to inspire the next generation of agri-entrepreneurs and policymakers.
“Food security begins with empowering farmers,” Mr. Mintoo said during 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 also emphasized the importance of developing climate-resilient crop varieties to mitigate the effects of global warming and ensure sustainable food systems for future generations.
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