On October 2, 2012, Premier Wen Jiabao was awarded the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)'s Agricola Medal by FAO at the Great Hall of the People.

At the awarding ceremony, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said China feeds 21 percent of the world's population on 9 percent of the world's arable land and 6 percent of the world's fresh water, adding China's grain output has been increasing for nine consecutive years and the output of many of China's agricultural products ranked first in the world. This is not only China's achievement, but also a tremendous contribution to global food security.

Graziano said China's efforts to meet its own food needs and eradicate extreme poverty have a global impact. He appreciated the Chinese government's principle of giving top priority to agriculture, farmers and rural areas, its commitment to grain production development and its efforts to reduce poverty, saying he believed China, with reform and innovation, will embrace a better future. He also hailed China's efforts to carry out South-South cooperation in the agricultural field and help other developing countries improve agricultural production.

"Thank FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva for conferring the medal on me. This is more than a personal honor to me. It represents the international community's full recognition of and high acclaim for what China has achieved in agriculture and rural development," Wen said in his remarks in reply. China's grain output has been increasing for nine consecutive years, with this year's output about 150 million tonnes more than that of 2003, Wen said. "This has provided a guarantee for China's economic and social development and the improvement of people's life. It has also contributed to the global food security." During the rapid development of China's agriculture, the people's livelihood in the rural area has been significantly improved, said Wen.

Wen attributed the achievements of China's agricultural and rural development to the rural reform, the top priority given to agriculture and the principle of "industry supporting agriculture and cities supporting rural areas." The achievements would also be impossible without the government's commitment to safeguarding farmers' rights, respecting farmers' aspiration for better life and bringing into play farmers' initiatives to boost production and build new rural areas, Wen said. At the same time, the achievements were also inseparable from active and extensive international exchanges and cooperation, he added.

Wen said he was engaged in the work of agriculture, rural areas and farmers for many years and was very well aware that "One who knows not Chinese farmers, knows not China". Wen said since he took office as premier, he has insisted on giving top priority to agriculture, rural areas and farmers. "It is not only because I personally cherish profound feelings towards farmers, but also because it is in line with our party and government's principle of governing for the people," he said. China will seek the steady growth of grain and other agricultural products and enable Chinese farmers to share the achievements of the country's economic development and social progress, Wen said. He appreciated FAO's support to China's agricultural development. He said China would like to work with the international community to promote the global agricultural development, maintain food security and improve farmers' wellbeing (see another article for the full text of the speech).

As the largest and most influential international food and agriculture organization in the UN system, FAO has 191 member nations, two associate members and one member organization. The FAO's Agricola Medal, initiated in 1977, is the organization's highest honor and it honors state leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the world's grain production and poverty reduction.

The awarding ceremony, hosted by Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu, was attended by more than 150 people including responsible officials from relevant departments, experts and scholars on agricultural science and technology and representatives of agricultural college students as well as representatives from the offices of the United Nations. 15 large-scale grain producers from major grain-producing provinces were also invited to the ceremony.

Prior to the awarding ceremony, Premier Wen met with Director-General José Graziano da Silva and his delegation at the Great Hall of the People.