Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was today presented with a top United Nations award in recognition to his contribution to promote food security and poverty alleviation in the world's most populous nation.   

The Food and Agriculture Organisation's 'Agricola Medal' was presented to the 69-year-old leader by Jose Graziano daSilva, the director of the UN agency, at a ceremony in Beijing.   

The medal is presented to "pay tribute to your life-long dedication to promoting food security and poverty reduction in the People's Republic of China, and in the world," the FAO said in a statement.   

Speaking on the occasion, Wen said China will seek the steady growth of agricultural products and enable Chinese farmers to share the achievements of the country's economic development and social progress.   

"This is more than a personal honour 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.