AGP Executive Report

El Niño Budget Push (Philippines): The Department of Agriculture and National Irrigation Administration asked lawmakers for higher 2027 funding to protect farmers and fisherfolk from El Niño impacts, citing fast drawdowns of fertilizer and farmer assistance funds and a need for more quick-response money for irrigation. Farm-to-Market Road Funding Gap (Philippines): Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel warned the proposed P16B for 2027 farm-to-market roads won’t cover the system’s needs, with 55,000 km still requiring work. Rwanda Food Systems Forum (Africa): The Africa Food Systems Forum opened in Kigali, spotlighting financing, climate resilience, post-harvest losses, and market access as key bottlenecks for boosting productivity and farm incomes. EU Weather Damage & CAP Pressure (Europe): COPA-Cogeca urged the EU to boost support as heat and drought cut crops and forage across multiple countries, while high fertilizer and energy costs squeeze farm profitability. Ranchers First Initiative (US): USDA launched a “Ranchers First” package aimed at rebuilding the cattle herd and expanding local processing, including new insurance tools for heifer retention. Shrimp Disease Wipeout (Bangladesh): A disease outbreak has devastated shrimp across hundreds of farms in Batiaghata, with losses reported above Tk 15 crore. Ukraine Food Security at Risk: Ukraine told the UN that Russia attacked ports and civilian vessels in the Black Sea, disrupting grain and oilseed exports and threatening global food supplies. Agricultural Insurance Rollout (Ghana): GAIP and AgroT Hub ran sensitisation sessions in Bono East on crop and livestock insurance pilots, with plans to expand nationwide. Market Support for California Walnuts (US): USDA plans an additional $30M walnut purchase to feed domestic nutrition programs and help absorb carryover supplies. Ag Tech & Equipment (US/Global): Michelin rebranded Camso agricultural tracks to MICHELIN BIBTRACK at Farm Progress, with no product performance changes.

Weather & Farm Losses: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture says monsoon and typhoons Luis, Maymay and Neneng have caused about P2.84B in farm losses, hitting 72,803 farmers and fishers, with rice taking nearly half the damage. Court Watch: The Sandiganbayan acquitted former Bureau of Plant Industry officials and traders in a garlic price-manipulation graft case, citing the prosecution’s failure to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Fertilizer Security: Major development banks and IFIs are pushing a coordinated push to expand fertilizer production, storage and transport to reduce future supply shocks that hit smallholders hardest. Agri-Trade Deals: Malaysia’s MAHA Trade Days opened with RM1.49B in MoUs and targets RM8B over three days, while NAFAS signed input-supply MoUs worth RM355M to strengthen fertilizer access. UK Livestock Health: Britain reports a bluetongue “quiet catastrophe,” with hundreds of confirmed cases and more under investigation as farmers face flock losses and disposal costs. Seeds & GI Push (India): Tamil Nadu plans 10 GI tags and is building nine seed storage godowns to protect seed quality and boost cultivation. Insect Farming Carbon Credits: Entosystem secured independent verification for carbon credit claims tied to insect farming that diverts food residues from landfill. Water Stress (Sri Lanka): Sri Lanka is bracing for wetter-than-average conditions later in the year, but drought stories show how water shortages are still disrupting daily life.

US Beef Rebuild: USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins unveiled the Ranchers First Initiative to restart the Great American Beef Herd, including new breeding-cattle insurance via BRAND/LRP, disaster recovery options on CRP, and loan support for regional processors through SPUR. Global Grain Logistics: CN Rail says Western Canada grain movement is running strong at about 550,000 tonnes per week early in the crop year, helped by higher-than-average carry-in stocks and Black Sea export uncertainty. Water & Irrigation Efficiency: Portugal’s Alvor Irrigation Scheme is upgrading with ~€15m to cut water losses by up to 60% using new reservoir, pumping, filtration, enclosed pipelines, and solar power. Farm Risk & Biosecurity: Georgia detected a serious new pasture mealybug threat after sightings in Texas, Florida, and Louisiana, urging vigilance to protect warm-season grasses. Animal Health Alert: Michigan confirmed its first eastern equine encephalitis case in an under-vaccinated horse and warned mosquito precautions for people and animals. Food Security Pressure: FAO reports about 50 lakh people in Bangladesh need emergency agri aid, with needs rising amid flooding and waterlogging. Agri Innovation & Trade: Namibia extended a 10-year permit for a planned Atlantic salmon farm to 25 years, aiming to boost investment, jobs, and export earnings. Agri Events & Community: Malaysia’s MAHA 2026 highlighted paddy agrotourism, including a record “Largest Paddy Art Formation,” showing fields as more than just food production.

Flood Damage Watch: Heavy southwest monsoon rains have battered parts of the Philippines, with Oriental Mindoro reporting about P112M in farm damage and 52,642 people affected, while Pangasinan declared a state of calamity over losses including P649.23M in agriculture and P2.11M in livestock. Coastal Crop Losses: In Zambales, agriculture losses from habagat and tropical cyclones reached P37.55M, led by rice damage across 1,069 hectares. Food Security Policy: China passed a new farmland protection law to tighten controls on arable land use and boost grain-focused production, taking effect Jan. 1, 2027. Trade Push: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan agreed to lift Pakistan’s agri-food exports to Saudi Arabia to $3B over two years, prioritizing rice, red meat, fruits, fodder and water-efficient tech. Input Support: In Ghana, NEIP CEO Eric Adjei distributed free fertiliser to farmers in Jaman North to ease costs and support yields. Market Signals: ANZ’s Business Outlook Survey showed agriculture confidence at 51.9, with firms still optimistic despite elevated costs. Climate Pressure: A report warns farm workers in high-income countries could earn up to 20x more than those in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa by 2035, highlighting widening productivity gaps.

Ag Credit Boost (Bangladesh): Bangladesh Bank cut rates on its Tk 10,000cr farm refinance scheme by 100 bps, capping farmer/customer charges at 7% and lowering the banks’ refinance rate to 3%, with the 18-month repayment window unchanged. Ag Credit Expansion (Bangladesh): Premier Bank signed on to the same refinance program to fund crops, machinery, fisheries and livestock via its branch network. Northern Ag Centre Financing (Bangladesh): BB also revised its Tk 3,000cr northern agriculture-based economic centre refinancing terms, keeping customer rates capped at 7% and setting 18–36 month tenures depending on project type. Climate Risk & Food Prices (Philippines): The Department of Agriculture ordered agencies to keep updating El Niño response plans as drought threatens output and could push up food costs. Disaster Hits Farms (Philippines): Bayambang (Pangasinan) declared a state of calamity after storms and monsoon rains caused over P31m in crop and livestock losses across 615.79 hectares. Ag Tech for Aquaculture (Malaysia): NEKMAT is exploring AI sensors and smartphone monitoring for white shrimp ponds, aiming to improve water/oxygen management and reduce feed waste. Women in Farming (India): India launched the Mahila Krishi Shakti Puraskar 2026 to spotlight women-led work in seeds, climate resilience, biodiversity and nutrition security. Food Security Trade Push (Saudi Arabia–Pakistan): Saudi and Pakistan agreed to target $3bn in agricultural and food exports over two years, focusing on rice, red meat, fruits and water-efficient farming tech. Worker Safety (US): Research highlights how extreme heat can worsen pesticide exposure for farm workers, feeding calls for stronger workplace heat protections.

Crop Switching & Trade Demand: Vietnam’s Central Highlands is rapidly shifting from coffee to durian as Chinese demand surges, with durian acreage rising more than fivefold to 200,000 hectares over the past decade and Vietnam becoming China’s top supplier by volume. Disaster & Farm Losses: Nepal’s Bhotekoshi floods have killed 750 people and left 3,000 missing, with rivers swallowing homes and agricultural fields while damaged roads and power cut rescue and relief. Food Security Watch: The Philippines is projected to face the highest food-insecurity rate in Southeast Asia this year (15.4 million people), even as longer-term forecasts improve. Air Quality & Water Stress: Malaysia is using cloud seeding in haze-affected areas and where dam levels are falling to protect water supply, as hotspots and unhealthy-to-hazardous air quality persist. Pest Risk: Texas residents are being warned about screwworm spread and the need for timely treatment to protect livestock. Market Integrity: Terengganu’s FAMA denies claims that non-Malaysians were allowed to trade at farmers’ markets under its supervision. Policy & Land: China’s lawmakers adopted a farmland protection law and revised its Agriculture Law, alongside other major legislation.

Budget Fight: Ireland’s agriculture minister says he will push back against a proposed 2027 budget levy, insisting there won’t be cuts if negotiations go his way. Show Disruption: Tipperary’s Dualla Show is postponed to Sept. 5 after high rainfall. Bangladesh Farm Economics: Satkhira farmers are expanding off-season watermelon using fallow land and fish enclosures, with output up and profits driving adoption. Fertilizer Watch: Bangladesh’s agriculture minister says there’s no fertilizer shortage after large imports and stock, warning of action against anyone creating “artificial” price spikes. Food Security Accountability: Nigeria’s VP Shettima demands clearer accountability for federal food security spending as harvest season approaches. Ag Tech for Farmers: Bangladesh’s HSTU student built an AI crop recommendation system using local soil and weather data, tested at a BADC nursery with high accuracy. Drone Manufacturing: India’s Dhaksha Unmanned Systems inaugurates a new Kancheepuram facility and launches two agricultural drone models for small farmers and rural entrepreneurs. Trade Pressure on Farm Inputs: A U.S.-Canada tariff escalation threatens farm equipment costs as Canada plans higher steel and aluminum tariffs. Beef Price Skepticism: Trump’s duty-free beef plan may not significantly lower burger prices, with analysts citing limited volume and monitoring uncertainty. Water & Irrigation: Telangana’s CM urges focus on minor irrigation tanks, tank boundary mapping, and farmer producer organizations. Regional Ag Partnerships: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan reaffirm plans to deepen cooperation in agriculture and food security, including irrigation and investment.

Colonial Plantation Heritage: Sao Tome and Principe’s UNESCO-listed “rocas” plantations—built on forced labour—are drawing tourism interest even as crumbling sites pose major preservation challenges. Disaster & Food Security: Nepal-Tibet border flooding is devastating crops and homes, with a Fresno State plant science professor among those with deep ties to the affected farming communities. EU Referendum & Farming Futures: Iceland’s farmers are bracing for a vote on restarting EU accession talks, warning EU membership could slow farm progress and squeeze profits. Ag Policy & Land Use: Tamil Nadu lawmakers spar over the Hosur airport plan, with critics citing agricultural land loss and officials saying acquisition is unavoidable for major development. Farm Inputs & Costs: India’s egg and chicken prices are rising as poultry feed costs jump, driven by higher maize and soybean meal prices. Cover Crops & Pest Control: Penn State research finds cover crop choice can boost plant defenses and shift predator insect preferences, offering growers practical pest-management options. Rural Support & Grants: USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Glen Smith visited a Viroqua hazelnut firm after a Value-Added Producer Grant to expand customers and jobs. Labour Crunch: Canada’s grain farms report persistent hiring gaps, with many applicants lacking hands-on machinery experience. School Meals Push: USDA and HHS announced “Harvest to Hallways” efforts to connect local farmers to school cafeterias and upgrade kitchen capacity.

Livestock Data Push (Philippines): The Department of Agriculture is soft-launching the Animal Management Information System (AMIS) and Livestock Registry System (LRS) to consolidate records from BAI, PCC, NDA and NMIS, aiming for faster disease response and better food-safety decisions, with broader integration planned for 2027. Farmgate Price Pressure (Philippines): The agriculture producer price index fell 11.7% in Q2 2026, with the biggest drop in livestock and poultry, as Middle East conflict and a stronger U.S. dollar lifted input costs. Organic Supply Chain Fix (Ireland): The Organic Beef and Lamb Innovation Group (OBLIG) was launched to connect farmers, finishers and processors, reduce leakage into conventional channels, and protect organic premiums. Local Processing Fight (U.S.): President Trump moved to let ranchers and farmers process their own food, targeting big meatpackers and aiming to expand options for producers. Drought Watch (U.S.): Minnesota’s agriculture commissioner warned drought is worsening yields, with the next two weeks critical for corn and soybeans. New Biosecurity Threat (Georgia): Georgia confirmed the pasture mealybug, urging farmers to clean equipment and limit movement to protect grasslands. Homegrown Food Drive (Malaysia): Malaysia launched the KENDIRI campaign to encourage household gardening as a resilient, pesticide-conscious supplement to national food supply. Tariff Shock Support (Canada/PEI): Prince Edward Island announced tariff response funding, including working capital and non-repayable grants, to help agriculture and other affected businesses adapt. EU Fuel/Fertilizer Aid (Italy): The EU approved €285m in Italian state aid to cushion agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture from higher fuel and fertilizer costs tied to the Middle East crisis.

Climate & Disaster Impact: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture says storm damage from the enhanced southwest monsoon and cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng has risen to P2.32B, hitting 69,615 farmers and fishers across eight regions, with 59.74% of losses tied to rice and 60,896 metric tons of farm produce damaged. Drought & Water Stress: Europe is seeing record-low river levels as drought and extreme heat dry up farmland, disrupting agriculture, shipping and even river-dependent cooling systems. Hurricane Recovery: On Hawaii Island, farmers and ranchers are still coping after Hurricane Lala, with destroyed water lines threatening irrigation and crop recovery. Pest Threat: Bee County, Texas is responding to a newly introduced invasive pasture mealybug that has wiped out hayfields, with extension officials rolling out education and cost-recovery steps. Policy & Finance: NABARD and NaBFID signed an MoU to fund rural infrastructure projects, while Assam announced combined support for agri-entrepreneurs and FPOs via low-interest AIF loans plus PMFME food-processing subsidies. Trade & Exports: Greece and Cyprus are pushing kiwifruit and Halloumi into Miami via an EU-backed campaign aimed at boosting exports through 2028. Regenerative Farming Push: A Welsh event featured regenerative farming expert Dr Allen Williams, highlighting practical steps to build more resilient, profitable farms. Research & Innovation: MetaG1 launched a cross-sector scientific platform to connect agriculture, biotech, pharma and life sciences in a searchable knowledge hub. Agricultural Tech for Water: Kyrgyzstan is offering 2% preferential loans for drip irrigation, while land-use changes in Naryn support construction of the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway.

Agri-Finance & Processing Boost (Philippines): Batangas’ egg sector gets a major lift as the Batangas Egg Producers Multipurpose Cooperative receives P66M to expand its egg processing and add cold storage, aiming to cut losses and stabilize supplies. Market Access via ASEAN (Malaysia): Malaysia signed ASEAN MOUs to expand trade and push climate-smart ag tech, targeting stronger regional food supply chains. Harvest Updates (Canada): Saskatchewan’s southeast is leading harvest progress, with drier weather helping winter cereals, pulses and early spring wheat move faster. Trade Tensions (Canada–U.S. potash): Potash is back in the spotlight as U.S.-Canada tariff escalation raises questions about whether Canada could restrict supply—and the fallout for U.S. agriculture. Food Prices & Policy (India onions): India starts government retail onion sales at ₹35/kg from buffer stock, blaming hoarding and middlemen for price spikes. Food Safety (U.S. recall): USDA recalls frozen buffalo chicken products made without federal inspection, warning some items may still be in foodservice freezers. Livestock & Resilience (Belize): Belize’s livestock and feed sectors get a US$1.11M grant to strengthen honey and livestock growth plus extension support. Ag Tech (Google DeepMind): DeepMind’s satellite-based farm monitoring models are now used for farmer credit, crop advisories, and UN food security data across multiple countries. Climate Stress (Global wheat): A new study links widespread drought across major wheat regions to major swings in global wheat prices.

Smart Farming in China: A new smart farming park in Shandong is boosting output of strawberries, cherries, rabbits and perch using greenhouse and tech-driven operations. Rural Livelihoods via Sericulture: In Jiangsu, a mulberry-silkworm chain model is lifting villagers’ income by linking planting, breeding and processing. Climate Risk for Farmers: Sri Lanka has allocated Rs. 3 billion to compensate farmers for El Niño-linked dry-weather crop damage across several districts. El Niño Watch for Food Prices: South Africa’s maize harvest looks strong for now, but analysts warn a strengthening El Niño could cut summer production and raise staple prices next year. Seed and Variety Rollout: Uganda’s NARO has started seed multiplication for four new Irish potato varieties, aiming to scale clean seed for highland farmers. Livestock Traceability: Kenya is pushing a digital animal ID and traceability system to improve disease surveillance, cut theft, and open better market access. Aquaculture Feed Shift: Australia’s Fremantle Seaweed secured a license to supply methane-cutting Asparagopsis seaweed feed to cattle producers. Trade and Input Costs: Research highlights that rice input and logistics costs rose much faster than retail prices, widening pressure along the rice supply chain. Policy and Finance: India’s RBI proposes clearer loan pricing rules for banks and NBFCs, with feedback deadlines—an issue that can affect farm credit costs. Disaster Relief: India sent a second 37.5 tonnes of aid to flood-hit Nepal, including food and medicines.

U.S.-Canada Tariff Shock: Trade talks collapsed and fresh tariffs hit billions in goods, putting U.S. fresh-produce exports (Canada is 48% of the total) and dairy supply chains on edge. Regenerative Farming Spotlight: Christensen Farms is shifting toward regenerative practices and crop diversity, using later planting to protect non-GMO purity and reduce inputs. AI for Crop Health: University of Maryland’s SoyAI lets soybean growers diagnose eight common diseases/disorders by uploading phone photos, aiming for faster, more targeted decisions. Farm Skills Pipeline: Arkansas’ Center for Arkansas Farms and Food opened applications for its 2027 Farm School, a nine-month program for specialty-crop beginners. Animal Health “One-Stop Shop”: A Wexford project, “One Lab,” targets delays from sending samples to multiple labs by proposing an integrated diagnostic service. Water & Nutrients Policy: Maryland now allows qualifying low-risk ag operations to extend nutrient management plans from 3 to 5 years, easing paperwork while protecting the Chesapeake Bay. Disease Rules for Hunters: Delaware issued new Chronic Wasting Disease hunting restrictions starting Sept. 1, including free deer testing. Fertilizer Supply Chain Push (Malaysia): NAFAS plans MAHA 2026 to strengthen phosphate input supply via a RM1.5B strategic collaboration.

Pesticide Phase-Out: California begins phasing out paraquat-dichloride, a widely used herbicide in Stanislaus orchards, after regulators moved to end registrations—health advocates say the process dragged on too long. Trade Pressure on Dairy: US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins alleges Canada is hitting American dairy with tariffs up to 300%, raising fresh uncertainty for rural producers as negotiations remain opaque. Input Costs & Farm Sentiment: A rural bank CEO survey shows the Rural Mainstreet Index edging just above growth-neutral, but farm income expectations still lean negative and farmland values face restraint from weak grain prices. Food Security & Weather Risk: Panama declares a nationwide emergency over El Niño, warning of drought impacts on water, hydropower, agriculture, and Panama Canal operations. Urban Farming Push: Everett, Massachusetts hosts a roundtable with Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and state agriculture officials to expand urban agriculture and improve fresh-food access. Pest & Disease Watch: Kenya orders intensified agrovet inspections after a reported 95% drop in illegal pesticide imports; meanwhile, bird flu concerns continue to ripple through poultry supply chains.

Trade Pressure on Farms: As U.S.-Canada talks collapse, Trump’s threatened 50% tariffs on Canadian vehicles and Canada’s retaliatory moves are already worrying Virginia agriculture and businesses, with Canada still Virginia’s biggest export market. Food Aid Push: USDA plans about $156m in purchases of U.S. commodities, including a major shrimp buy, to supply schools and food banks. Treaty Settlement for Farming: Canada and two Saskatchewan First Nations settled agricultural benefits claims tied to Treaties 4 and 6, with payouts topping $209m to support promised farm tools and supplies. Weather Risk Watch: In the U.S. Four Corners, farmers are weighing what a possible super El Niño could mean for drought, snowpack, and crop and livestock impacts. School Meals, Local Supply: Arkansas signed on to USDA’s “Harvest to Hallways” to boost locally sourced food in school cafeterias, alongside cafeteria infrastructure funding. Heat Hits Crops: Malaysia’s hot-weather alert is stressing vegetable and nursery output as growers struggle to keep moisture up. Research for Resilience: A new AI-genomics gene-editing partnership aims to speed climate-resilient root and tuber varieties to farmers. Regulation Update: Uganda tabled a bill to create a single Food and Agriculture Regulatory Authority covering food, inputs, and veterinary products. Security Threats to Farming Communities: A Haiti gang raid in a farming area near Port-au-Prince killed dozens, underlining how violence is disrupting rural livelihoods.

Climate Stress on Farms: Korea’s Chuseok season is hitting fruit growers hard after heat and drought, then heavy rain brought flooding, labor shortages, and disease risk. Water & Irrigation Heritage: Nepal’s Chandra Canal in Saptari is being pushed as both irrigation lifeline and heritage tourism asset. Drought Drives Food Prices: Kenya’s maize and beans prices are rising as drought cuts harvests, with households facing tougher costs. Farmer Pay Court Ruling: Nepal’s Supreme Court ordered a system to ensure dairy farmers are paid on time, after years of unpaid dues. Trade & Beef Politics: US-Canada tariff escalation threatens agricultural supply chains, while US beef import plans face sharp criticism from ranchers and ag groups. Ag Tech & Equipment: Claas adds film binding to its Rollant 630 RC baler to help silage handling and recycling. Urban Farming Push: Quezon City (Philippines) partners with AgriGaia Tech to set up an urban farming demo site at QCU led by women. Rural Development Planning: Laos is finalizing its rural development and poverty agenda for programs starting in 2027. Energy Meets Agriculture: Texas solar farms are increasingly using sheep grazing to keep land productive. AI & Environment Warning: A report flags potential heat impacts from AI data centers on nearby rice farming viability.