AGP Executive Report

Climate Risk & Food Security: The Philippines is preparing for a severe El Niño that Pagasa says has an 80% chance of developing and could last until 2027, with President Marcos Jr. accelerating irrigation and water projects to protect farmers. Global Markets: FAO reports June food prices edged down for a second month, led by lower cereal, sugar and dairy prices, while vegetable oils and meat rose. Input Shock: In Kenya, Gulf tensions disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz are pushing fertilizer prices up, threatening yields even as officials say stocks are adequate. Ag Tech & Inputs: Corteva and Arevo are partnering on Arginex Soy, a seed-applied nutrition system aimed at stronger roots, nodulation and soybean performance. Farmer Support & Finance: Wales launched a £5m Sustainable Agriculture Loan Scheme with fixed-rate 3% loans for farm resilience investments. Digital Tools: FAO rolled out CropSuit, a free app that matches crops to local soil and climate conditions to improve yields and fertilizer use. Local Resilience: Nigeria inaugurated 23 rural minigrids under the Africa Minigrids Programme to power agriculture and rural enterprises. Policy & Labor: USDA highlighted Farm Bill progress while Farm Bureau pushes labor reform, including H-2A changes for more predictable farm workforce access.

Rice Trade & Farmgate Prices: The Philippines Department of Agriculture will temporarily block imports of 5-percent broken rice, asking industry to bring in only 25-percent broken or lower-quality grain to protect local farmers ahead of the September harvest. Water Security: In the Philippines, DA cloud seeding is underway over the Magat Dam watershed to slow reservoir decline and protect irrigation and hydropower supply. Pest & Plant Health: India’s SKUAST-K issued an apple-grower advisory stressing safe, recommended pesticide use, proper protective gear, and orchard management to prevent crop losses. Animal Health: Australia’s NSW reports H5 bird flu in seabirds and is boosting surveillance after a suspected additional case. Regulation & Inputs: Arkansas adopted new rules for warfarin-based toxicants to control feral hogs, tightening where and when products can be used and requiring licensed applicators. Disaster Relief: Oregon Governor Tina Kotek requested USDA disaster designation for pear growers after a severe 2025 pear psylla outbreak and heat-stressed conditions. Policy & Support: The U.S. SBA and USDA signed an MOU aimed at helping farmers and ranchers report “lawfare” and push regulatory reform. Climate & Land Risks: Scientists warn drought and groundwater pumping are increasing ground collapse and sinkhole risk across parts of the U.S., threatening farmland and infrastructure.

USDA Policy: The U.S. Farm Service Agency expanded payment limitation and payment eligibility rules, letting more business entities be treated equitably and increasing limits for certain programs—aimed at strengthening the farm safety net. Fertilizer Security: USDA also launched the $500M FIELDS program to expand domestic fertilizer production and reduce farmers’ exposure to unstable foreign supply. Ag Tech Connectivity: Vodafone Spain will trial satellite connectivity for agricultural devices in Almería, partnering with food co-ops to support remote farm operations. Research & Biosecurity: UK researchers found air sampling at equestrian events could help detect equine herpesviruses earlier than horse-to-horse swabbing. Seeds & Resilience: The Philippines inaugurated a solar-powered National Seed Reserve in Quezon City to speed replanting after disasters. Local Markets: Malaysia’s Perlis FAMA is preparing for a durian glut with fruit festivals, local fruit campaigns, and renewed processing capacity for downstream products. Food Security Investment: Kenya launched NASIP 2026–2030, a KES 1.081T plan to modernize agriculture, expand irrigation, and create 2M+ jobs. Farm Labor: North Carolina opened on-site job fairs to hire seasonal peanut inspectors for the upcoming harvest.

Fertilizer Relief: The U.S. temporarily suspends countervailing duties on certain phosphate imports, aiming to cut phosphate prices about 22% and save farmers an estimated $1.82B annually. Rice Price Control: The Philippines’ agriculture chief asks President Marcos to extend a 60-day P50/kg ceiling on imported rice to prevent renewed price spikes until the main harvest in Aug–Sept. Women in Farming: Maharashtra introduced a Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill to formally recognize women farmers and landless workers, create a women farmers database and fund, and expand access to schemes and credit. Ag Finance Rules: Bangladesh Bank issued new guidelines for its Agricultural Development Common Fund, tightening how banks meet rural credit targets and how funds are allocated. Punjab Farm Support: Punjab CM reports 900,000 Kissan Cards distributed, with interest-free loans of Rs360B and plans for more agri graduates and new “Model Agri Malls.” Biosecurity & Trade: DOJ says Alibaba failed to stop illegal pharmaceuticals and banned goods reaching U.S. buyers, a reminder of supply-chain risks that can spill into agriculture-related markets. Disaster Recovery: Australia’s BlazeAid received a $30,000 donation from Soroptimists to help bushfire-affected rural families, including damaged fencing and livelihoods.

EU Policy & Waste Rules: UK MEP Maria Walsh pushed a European Parliament debate to end wool being classified as waste, arguing it’s biodegradable and useful as farm insulation and fertiliser—so farmers can use it instead of paying disposal costs. Precision Tech: DJI unveiled the Agras T55 and T100 dual-battery spraying system, aiming to boost precision treatment for orchards and small plots. US Markets & Supplies: USDA data showed higher old-crop wheat, corn and soybean stocks, while wheat acreage surprised lower—supporting grain rebounds but keeping drought risk in focus. US Farm Compliance: USDA reminded Louisiana producers to book appointments with local FSA offices to file crop acreage reports by July 15 for summer crops. Trade & Value Chains: Italian agritech firms are in Kenya to cut post-harvest losses and modernise processing, while the US plans a West Africa agribusiness trade mission to Ghana in September. Food Safety & Chemicals: A Supreme Court pesticide ruling makes it harder for farmers to sue over cancer claims tied to toxic agrochemicals. Logistics Pressure: South Africa’s Port of Cape Town underperformance is forcing fruit diversions, costing the table grape and stone fruit sectors billions in losses. On-the-Ground Farming Skills: Malaysia’s MARDI is expanding local onion seed work to reduce import dependence, targeting higher self-sufficiency by 2030.

Climate Risk Planning: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture is rolling out a data-driven approach to prepare for El Niño, linking production, storage, logistics, weather and market demand, while fast-tracking irrigation and small farm reservoirs. Crop Prices & Weather Impacts: “Tomatoflation” hits the U.S. as late winter freezes in Florida and setbacks in Mexico push tomato prices to record highs, with Florida’s losses estimated at $164M. Farm Financial Stress: Illinois farm bankruptcies are rising for a third straight year, with family farm filings up sharply and USDA projecting record farm debt. Regenerative Biofuels: USDA finalized a rule and updated calculator to help regenerative farmers document carbon intensity reductions and potentially earn more in renewable fuels markets. Food Safety: A Ghana study found high pesticide residues in cabbage and okra, calling for a shift toward agro-ecological farming. Aquaculture Funding Debate: A Fiji pearl farmer says aquaculture funding is “business as usual,” urging bolder reforms. Local Extension & Pest Alerts: Kashmir’s KVKs ran apple leaf blotch miner awareness and SAC progress reviews, focusing on stronger extension and orchard protection.

Fertiliser Security: The EU is weighing a strategic fertiliser reserve after concerns about supply shocks, with imports leaving farmers exposed to price spikes. Dairy Regulation: The Netherlands plans a land-based cap of 2.6 livestock units per hectare to cut nitrogen emissions, backed by €2bn in support. Farmer Payments Glitch: India’s PM-Kisan SMS error showed Rs 0.01 instead of the Rs 2,000 instalment, but officials say the full amount was credited. Compensation Pressure: In India’s Karnataka, an MLA pushed for faster payouts for farmers still waiting compensation after a 400 kV transmission project. Durian Oversupply Response: Malaysia’s FAMA is processing durians into pulp to manage glut-driven price pressure, while Melaka is running a durian festival to help smallholders sell at lower prices. Livestock & Safety Tech: A UK app update aims to reduce sheep worrying by dogs by showing walkers where sheep are likely to be. Policy & Food Access: A US judge blocked SNAP “junk food” bans in five states, limiting USDA authority. Agriculture Finance: Kenya’s AFC is highlighted at a summit as a model to expand credit to smallholders and agribusinesses.

Poultry Investment: Cobb-Vantress and Irvine’s Group officially opened a Cobb East Africa “grandparent” genetics facility in Tanzania, aiming to boost regional poultry production and food security. Farmer Compensation & Food Safety: India’s Bharatiya Kisan Sangh urged the government to pay fourfold compensation for land taken for infrastructure and called for scrutiny of food safety claims tied to wheat and rice. Biological Crop Protection Expansion: BASF commissioned a fermentation BioHub to produce biological fungicides and insecticide ingredients, strengthening supply and scaling sustainable crop protection. Fertilizer Trade Relief: The Trump administration temporarily halted phosphate duties on imports from Morocco for up to eight months to stabilize U.S. fertilizer supply and costs. Pest Control: Mexico’s sterile male fruit flies will be released in San Diego County to curb Mexican fruit fly spread. Climate-Smart Resilience: Nigeria’s Conservation Foundation, with Ford Foundation support, is training communities in Bayelsa on climate-smart agriculture and biodiversity restoration. Policy & Labor: U.S. lawmakers are set to release an agriculture labor immigration bill (SAWA) amid pushback from unions. Weather Stress: Pakistan warns hot, humid conditions are stressing cotton, maize, sugarcane and vegetables, threatening yields.

Regenerative Ag Push (US): Trump’s executive order directs HHS, USDA and EPA to build a framework on cumulative chemical exposures in the food supply and to accelerate research that reduces reliance on chemical crop protection, with a NIH prize challenge and ARPA-H priorities. Farm Finance Stress (US): Arkansas topped U.S. Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies in 2025 (33 filings), with analysts warning 2026 net farm income could worsen as commodity prices stay weak while fuel and fertilizer costs remain high. Water-Quality Rules (Northern Ireland): A revised Nutrients Action Programme draft is out for a 10-week public consultation, aiming to cut agricultural pollution with measures shaped by farmers, processors and environmental groups. Antibiotic Use Pressure (US): A coalition of 65 groups petitioned the FDA to end routine medically important antibiotics in healthy farm animals. Tariff Relief (New York): Hochul launched a $30m Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Program to offset export losses and higher input costs for dairy, livestock, specialty crops and aquaculture. Co-op Leadership (US): Keystone Cooperative named Scott Logue as its next CEO, promoting continuity after Kevin Still’s retirement. Storm Damage (Spain): Asaja reported hail, wind and rain damage across cereal, vineyards, almonds, olives and more in Cuenca, Albacete and Guadalajara. Food Security Strategy (Canada): Canada launched a National Food Security Strategy backed by $3bn over 10 years to boost competition, infrastructure and domestic production. Agritech & AI (India): IIT Ropar, Syngenta and Google launched HACK CORE 2026 to develop AI for crop health, pest management and climate-resilient farming.

Climate & Health: Europe’s record heatwave is being linked to at least 1,300 excess deaths, with France reporting about 1,000; WHO warns extreme heat is becoming more frequent and is disrupting power, transport, and healthcare—raising fresh risks for farm workers and food systems. Ag Policy & Inputs: Australia’s pesticide regulator (APVMA) kept paraquat and diquat registered but sharply tightened application limits, banned backpack sprayers, and requires enclosed mixing/loading and cab application for boom spraying. Fertiliser & Food Security: Zimbabwe is pushing to cut its fertiliser import bill by expanding local production, while also converting grain import levy revenue into irrigation projects (over US$3.2m already deployed). Farmer Support Programs: Nigeria’s NADF flagged off 80,640 subsidised fertiliser bags for 20,160 smallholders in the South-South under FISP. Research & Soil Health: Scientists report soil microbes that can help crops survive salty farmland, pointing to new ways to protect yields as salinity spreads. Governance & Industry: New Zealand co-op Ravensdown director nominations are open, while a Marlborough feedlot plan faces public backlash over environmental and animal welfare concerns. Technology in Farming: M&S is rolling out vertically farmed salad leaves using far less water and no pesticides, aiming for longer shelf life.

Climate Risk & Rice: India’s monsoon jitters under a strong El Niño are pushing farmers to watch rainfall closely and lean on contingency plans as drought could raise irrigation costs and strain groundwater. Labour Crunch: Goa’s monsoon return helps paddy transplanting start, but farmers face a shortage of skilled workers booked weeks ahead. Disaster on the Farm: A lightning strike in Madhya Pradesh killed one woman and injured six others while they were working in fields. Food Security Finance: IsDB and Jordan signed the HOPE program to expand rural jobs and agricultural growth, with climate-smart farming and better access to finance for women and youth. Rice Policy Spotlight: Nepal’s 23rd National Paddy Day is focused on climate-friendly rice tech and closing a paddy supply gap. Genetic Resources: Oman’s Mango Gene Bank in Sohar is preserving hundreds of mango varieties to protect biodiversity and support future breeding. Market Support (Durian): Malaysia’s Penang FAMA is using intervention buying and collection centres to manage seasonal durian supply and stabilize prices. Agri-Tech & Trade: China’s firms showcased machinery, irrigation and seed solutions through Pakistan supply-chain partnerships to boost farm productivity. Value Addition (Cassava): Nigeria marked World Cassava Day with calls to move beyond raw production into processing and industrial uses.

Animal Health & Biosecurity: Cebu activated African Swine Fever task forces and tightened border controls after outbreaks elsewhere, aiming to protect its P20B hog industry (province says it remains ASF-free). Pest Control & Livestock Trade: The U.S. and Mexico opened a sterile fly facility in Metapa to fight New World screwworm, targeting up to 100M sterile flies weekly and boosting output alongside Panama. Agricultural Policy & Inputs: Kashmir’s Director Agriculture seized 235kg of suspected substandard pesticide and warned dealers to sell only authorized products with proper invoices. Food Security & Climate Risk: Zimbabwe plans to allow food imports using foreign currency ahead of an El Niño threat, while also prioritizing climate-proofing agriculture funding. Market & Farm Economics: Zimbabwe reports maize sales up 71% year-on-year to 135,000 tonnes by mid-June. Industry Strategy: Pakistan’s cotton trade faces disruption after the Karachi Cotton Exchange Building was sealed, hitting hundreds of businesses tied to the value chain. Agri-Development Funding: Fiji earmarked $102M for non-sugar agriculture and expanded fertiliser/weedicide subsidies for key crops. Global Agri-Exports: Taiwan will keep buying Idaho grain under a deal that helps stabilize producer expectations amid tariff uncertainty. Sustainable Energy for Farms: Malaysia moved from B10/B12 toward a nationwide B15 biodiesel mandate, using palm oil to reduce fuel import pressure. Regional Cooperation: Albania and Kosovo signed agriculture agreements covering advisory services, tech transfer, and trade facilitation.

Policy & Budgets: India’s Bhagirath Choudhary defends a ₹99 lakh horticulture subsidy claim, saying his polyhouse and farm ponds were approved under the rules and he’s ready to share documents. Food Safety: Moldova’s ANSA inspectors trained with German experts on HACCP audits, covering legal duties, Codex/ISO 22000 updates, and common implementation gaps. Disaster Response: Virginia gets a USDA secretarial disaster declaration for frost and freeze-hit counties, aiming to help farmers recover and plan for 2027. Animal Health: Wisconsin reports another bird flu case in Jefferson County, triggering quarantine and depopulation; Idaho also tightens entry rules after New World screwworm confirmation in Texas/New Mexico. Climate & Water: Italy’s Po River drops to record lows, threatening Parmesan milk regions as irrigation canals shut to avoid seawater intrusion. Agri-Tech & Finance: Bangladesh’s iFarmer wins a $250,000 OPEC Fund award for helping smallholders access inputs, weather info, and markets. Local Land Pressure: Assam tea growers get “Farmer IDs” to streamline scheme access, while India’s Azara-Palashbari farmers protest airport land acquisition over displacement fears. Security & Farming: Gunmen kill 17 farmers in a raid on a Nigerian farming village, deepening fears of rising food insecurity.

Agrivoltaics & Land Stewardship: A University of Minnesota Extension webinar will dig into “Keeping the farm in ‘solar farm’: Agrivoltaic logistics,” focusing on how solar projects can be planned and operated alongside crop production. Water & Crop Risk: In Burundi’s Mpanda rice belt, farmers say an unusually long dry spell and alleged unfair irrigation practices are leaving less than half the fields likely to mature. Value-Add from Waste: UK growers are partnering with Upcycled Plant Power to use broccoli residues for plant-based protein and fiber, aiming to cut harvesting costs and create new revenue. SNAP Administration Costs: Alaska faces major new SNAP cost exposure after posting the nation’s highest payment error rate, as federal rules shift more administrative costs to states. Legal/Trade: A Chilean appeals court vacated a $217M salmon farm arbitration award tied to Joyvio’s nearly $1B purchase. Beekeeping & Pollination: South Africa’s DARD and SABIO will host a 2026 BEE National Conference (June 30–July 1) to boost honey value chains and pollinator protection. Rural Connectivity: Wyoming is moving ahead with rural fiber expansion using federal funding to reach thousands of unserved locations. Workforce & Tech in Ag: Central Wyoming College is launching/expanding a Controlled Environment Agriculture program, and the University of Wyoming is rolling out a CEA Network to grow jobs and innovation. Farm Policy & Local Governance: Walworth County livestock siting rules may shift after a state board rejected some county conditions on a large-scale expansion permit.

Export Push: India held its first-ever premium mango promotion events in Iceland (Reykjavik and Akureyri) with APEDA to boost agricultural trade links. Women’s Land Rights: Maharashtra approved a draft Women Farmers Empowerment Bill to legally recognize women in agriculture even without land ownership, unlocking welfare schemes and credit. Food Prices & Imports: USDA raised the Philippines rice import forecast to 5.20M MT for 2026-27 as milled output is expected to fall, citing higher input costs and water limits. Regional Market Access: Albania and Kosovo agreed to cooperate on farming advice, digital services, and joint promotion to help producers reach wider markets. Farm Resilience & Policy: Idaho’s Right to Farm and Agricultural Protection Area Act are highlighted as legal shields against nuisance claims and zoning pressure. Climate & Health: A Gaza satellite assessment finds most greenhouses still damaged (81% out of production), while livestock recovery shows early signs of rebound. Ag Innovation: Kashmir’s SKUAST-K secured a Government of India patent for a smart anti-hail net system to protect orchards with automated sensor-triggered deployment. Agri-Tech Events: Myanmar’s Agri-Tech Myanmar 2026 opened in Yangon with exhibitors across farming, livestock, food processing, and SMEs. Waste-to-Value: A Mykolaiv project started pelletizing agricultural waste into fuel with Danish support, aiming to cut waste and improve local energy options.

Biofuel Policy: Philippines’ Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered a halt to importing feedstock (molasses, sugar, sugarcane and sugar syrups) for bioethanol, aiming to protect the domestic sugar sector and farmers. UK Farming Delivery: England’s 25-year Farming Roadmap drew NFU criticism for being ambitious but lacking long-term funding and urgency to move “rapidly into delivery mode.” Climate & Drought Funding: Australia’s Future Drought Fund will deliver $30m via innovation challenges and on-country grants, including AI soil microbiome tools and drought mapping. Food Security Aid: China shipped humanitarian rice and wheat to Cameroon (880 tons wheat, 1,630 tons rice), with more batches arriving soon. Risk & Resilience: Montana reminded producers to report hail losses within 14 days to its Hail Insurance Program. Farm Business Continuity: Kauai Coffee secured a 15-year lease to keep its historic 3,100-acre farm operating, protecting jobs and certifications. Crop Progress: Saskatchewan reported seeding is 99% complete, though cool, cloudy weather has left many crops behind schedule. Trade & Water Projects: China signaled interest in supporting Bangladesh’s Teesta River management with technical help and a joint feasibility study.