AGP Executive Report

Seed Regulation: India is preparing a stricter Seed Act to curb fake and substandard seeds, with farmer leaders set to weigh in ahead of Parliament. Climate Preparedness: Ireland’s Climate Change Advisory Council says farmers aren’t being properly readied for extreme weather and wants a practical, parcel-specific climate-risk toolkit within 12 months. Farm Inputs & Costs: UK farmers are warning that domestic food output keeps falling while imports rise, as drought, bluetongue, and higher fuel, fertiliser and energy costs push many farms into losses. Sustainable Farming Trials: Wales is trialling farmed seaweed as a biostimulant to cut imported nitrogen fertiliser use and improve soil and nutrient uptake. Ag Tech Uptake: McKinsey reports farmers are embracing AI faster than most other farm technologies, using it for planning and day-to-day decisions. Livestock & Markets: A strong season is boosting lamb feed and prices in Australia, with a ram sale planned after well-timed rainfall. Trade & Commodities: Kyrgyzstan is pushing to export beans to Pakistan, targeting direct links with importers and supply volumes. Food Security & Finance: Kenya’s Agricultural Finance Corporation received global recognition for embedding climate resilience into lending decisions. Policy & Assurance: Ireland’s Bord Bia plans updates to its Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme and a “new approach” to farm audits.

Farmer Livelihoods & Policy: Philippines House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III backed the Sagip Saka Program, stressing that stable food supply depends on stable farmer incomes and reliable markets. Agronomy & Research: Southwest Minnesota State University will host an Agronomy Field Day and Ag Bowl, spotlighting soybean health, weed control, hay preservation, and value-added farm practices. Campaigns & Community: Central Valley Ag launched “The Land We Love” to celebrate the people and communities behind agriculture. Aquaculture Strategy: China’s fisheries plan targets a big jump in high-quality aquatic product supply by 2030, with more facility-based production and tech upgrades. Drought & Food Security: Sudan’s farmers warn severe rainfall shortages are damaging sorghum, sesame, and peanuts, pushing up grain prices. Animal Health & Farm Operations: Cyprus livestock producers face delays after foot-and-mouth rules; authorities say rebooting farms depends on proper disinfection. Climate Finance: IFAD and Equity Group launched a $200m East Africa climate adaptation mechanism aimed at smallholders and rural businesses. Market Access & Quality: U.S. Soybean Board quality sampling encourages farmers to submit harvest samples to prove U.S. soy quality for global buyers. Food Safety: The USDA recalled imported ready-to-eat Italian pork products over possible listeria contamination.

Arunachal Agriculture Push: Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated the State Agriculture Information Hub-cum-Farmers’ Hostel in Naharlagun and flagged off Matsya e-Vaahini plus an e-Rickshaw to boost fish-farm logistics and training. Heat Safety for Farm Workers: Reports warn extreme heat is driving deadly illness risk for agricultural workers, urging shade breaks and electrolyte rehydration. Insect Protein Expansion: South Korea completed its first insect industry hub complex in Gangwon, with smart-farm infrastructure aimed at producing up to 1,000 tons of mealworms annually. Climate-Resilient Farming Ideas: Chinese researchers propose “underground agriculture” in abandoned coal mines to create stable, closed-environment farming. Horticulture Subsidy Crackdown: India’s National Horticulture Board froze new clearance applications for two schemes after a subsidy controversy involving cucumber farms. Farmgate Price Pressure: Tomato growers report collapsing prices and losses as supply surges outpace demand. Value-Add Processing Support: Japan funded a ginger and timur processing centre in Nepal’s Myagdi district to help women farmers boost product value. Disaster Hits Crops: Heavy rain and strong winds wrecked about 50 acres of banana plantations in Thanjavur, uprooting tens of thousands of plants and prompting calls for compensation. Livestock Vaccine Demand: Tanzania’s veterinary agency plans to expand livestock vaccine production and improve delivery methods as demand rises, especially for Newcastle disease vaccines. Food System Stress: UN-linked reporting highlights a “resilience crisis” as extreme weather and conflicts strain inputs and logistics even when global cereal output looks strong.

Pig & slurry infrastructure: A Yorkshire pig farm added a 2,200m³ concrete slurry tank with a pump and mixer after expanding herd size, aiming for easier mixing and lower long-term costs. Government delivery focus: PM Modi reviewed MoS performance, stressing timely, high-quality and transparent project execution, with Agriculture Ministry flagship schemes on the agenda. Drought pressure on farms: Maine’s drought is worsening, with record-low groundwater in parts of the state and little relief expected soon—raising risks for agriculture and water supplies. Swine health surveillance: Canada is funding faster national swine disease testing to improve early detection and limit outbreaks’ damage to producers and animal welfare. Crop resilience research: German researchers identified a plant steroid-hormone mechanism that helps balance growth and immune defense, pointing to more resilient, high-yield crop breeding. Animal health warning: Ireland reported a bluetongue case in an unvaccinated heifer, urging farmers to monitor closely during peak midge activity. Fertilizer support & input access: Ghana’s Afadzato South MP donated fertilizer in phases to multiple farming communities to cut production costs and boost yields. Food safety recall: The US issued a recall for about 1,513 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork products due to possible listeria contamination. EU subsidy scrutiny: The European Commission temporarily withheld €3.18m in Czech farm subsidy reimbursements to Agrofert while it reviews potential conflict-of-interest concerns. Water & farming logistics: The Philippines is studying a major Candaba Swamp canal system to store floodwater, reduce inundation, and create farm transport routes. Fodder management: Ireland urged farmers to maximize recent grass growth recovery to boost fodder supplies, while noting 2026 pasture production remains below normal. Market and trade signals: Uganda’s coffee exports fell 15% in July, while South Africa–Zimbabwe talks highlighted agriculture’s role in regional value chains and trade.

Fertiliser probe in Kedah: Malaysia’s MACC opened an investigation into delays in supplementary compound fertiliser distribution to padi farmers in Kedah, after a complaint by PESAWAH, with the probe also looking at governance weaknesses. Farm safety for harvest: A local emergency responder warned that fall harvest hazards are often preventable, urging better equipment maintenance to prevent field fires, plus safer handling around grain bins and power take-offs. Aquaculture levy fight: Kenya’s Lake Victoria fish farmers escalated their legal battle over new aquaculture charges, appealing a High Court decision that upheld licensing fees and a levy that they say could threaten small operators. New crop genetics for drylands: Kenya’s KALRO-developed pigeonpea variety (Mituki) is helping farmers harvest in about three months and earn income even during dry periods. Pesticide harm spotlight: A new study estimates 402–433 million cases of acute pesticide poisoning among farmers and agricultural workers each year, with South Asia worst affected. Water for rice in Tamil Nadu: India’s Mettur Dam discharge was increased to 12,000 cusecs to support Cauvery delta irrigation for samba cultivation. Co-op seed push in Manipur: BBSSL and MASOCA signed an MoU to expand seed production and improve access to quality seeds through a cooperative-led network. Dairy credit in Gujarat: India distributed 6.57 lakh RuPay Kisan Credit Cards to dairy farmers via cooperative banks to improve timely, lower-cost liquidity. Shrimp industry scale-up: Ecuador’s shrimp sector is growing fast and shifting toward more industrial, large-scale outdoor operations, with exports now comparable to Norway’s salmon by volume. Pineapple investment drive in Malaysia: Malaysia’s MAHA 2026 saw LPNM secure potential pineapple investments worth over RM2.3 billion, pushing downstream processing and high-value products.

Heat & Crop Losses: Britain’s flower growers are pulling out of markets after record heat and weeks without rain scorched fields and wiped out stock. Energy Costs for Farming: Diesel hit a record $5.85/gallon, with Michigan farmers and trucking facing higher input costs tied to U.S.-Iran fuel disruptions. Dairy Expansion Scrutiny: Minnesota’s agriculture department is collecting public input on the socioeconomic impact of large-scale dairies as a proposed expansion moves forward without an environmental impact study. Livestock Health for Trade: Irish livestock groups urge early dosing and vaccination to protect weanling sales, warning exporters may pause purchases if health programs slip. Policy & Land Use: The Philippines is pushing a national land use law to protect prime agricultural areas as population growth strains rice output. Food Security Support: President Marcos’ P20/kilo rice subsidy is set to continue through 2028, with officials stressing it must stay targeted to avoid squeezing farmer incomes. Pest Control: Georgia agriculture officials report ongoing yellow-legged hornet tracking and eradication efforts to protect honeybees. Climate Risk to Rice: The Philippines narrows its El Niño rice decline projection to about 400,000 MT, citing monsoon-fed dam levels. Community & Rural Support: Minnesota offers free farm mental health trainings, while Bangladesh’s IFIC Bank joins a Tk 3,000 crore refinance scheme to boost ag production, storage, processing, and exports.

Fertiliser Accountability: Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim ordered MACC to investigate delays in Fertiliser 3 (Baja 3) deliveries to paddy farmers in Kedah’s MADA area, warning contracts could be cancelled and prosecuted if companies repeatedly fail. Budget Push for Farmers: At MAHA 2026’s closing, Anwar hinted the Agriculture and Food Security ministry’s Budget 2027 allocation may rise, citing strong programme performance. MAHA Results: The exhibition drew about 4.3 million visitors (target set to be surpassed), logged RM66.88m in sales, and secured MoUs for potential investments around RM10.3bn—aimed at turning deals into on-farm benefits. Coffee Expansion: In Bukidnon, officials met indigenous coffee growers in Quezon, backing coffee as a higher-value shift from traditional monocrops and highlighting a national coffee fund plus seedling propagation support. Cocoa Support: Ghana’s NPP leadership says a new cocoa policy package is being prepared after farmer consultations, alongside disease-control equipment for cocoa groups. Roads for Trade: Ghana’s Wa–Tumu–Bolgatanga corridor upgrade is framed as a boost for moving farm produce and expanding rural opportunities. Farmer Health & Livestock: Ireland’s agriculture ministry warned sheep farmers about autumn lamb risks and urged vaccination and stress control during weaning. Crop Success Stories: Bangladesh highlights a Pirojpur farmer scaling malta (citrus) from a small plot into a commercial orchard and nursery. Tech for Pest Control: Kazakhstan unveiled drone-based BioDrop tech that spreads beneficial insects more efficiently than manual release. Land Compensation: India’s Noida authority raised farmer land acquisition compensation to ₹6,459/sqm and added a 5% developed plot for some cases.

Agri-Investment & Trade: Malaysia’s MAHA 2026 drew huge deal momentum, with MoUs hitting RM12.6B (above RM8B), including RM4B from China and RM1.5B via NAFAS to expand fertiliser capacity. Climate & Heat Impacts: Japan farmers are shifting to night work as deadly heat reshapes schedules, with greenhouse harvesting running through early hours. Beef & Prices: Nebraska ranchers warn that tariff-driven beef moves could worsen feed-calf pain without fixing long-term costs, as US crop-price rallies lift optimism. Animal Health & Skills: The University of Minnesota is running a hands-on Beef Skills Workshop (Sept 12) focused on calving, scoring, handling and injection-site management. Fertiliser Support Abroad: Morocco donated 1,000 tonnes of DAP to Mali to bolster food security and yields. Disaster Response: Algeria’s Jijel fire compensation survey topped 98% completion, covering crops, livestock and poultry; Bihar’s CM ordered round-the-clock flood relief and embankment monitoring. Water & Irrigation: Ladakh plans 36 check dams (over Rs 56 crore) to raise stream flows and support farmers’ irrigation. Cocoa Income Shock: Ivory Coast kept cocoa farmgate prices at 1,200 CFA/kg, disappointing growers after a near-60% cut earlier this year. Regenerative & Solar on Farms: Studies and pilots highlight agrivoltaics’ potential to cool farm work, while UK farming-linked solar and regenerative initiatives keep gaining attention.

Diesel Shock in Bolivia: Hundreds of coca farmers marched in Cochabamba after President Rodrigo Paz doubled diesel prices for bulk buyers, saying “No diesel, no diesel” as fuel shortages worsen. Climate Finance for Smallholders: IFAD and Equity Group launched a $200m ARCAFIM scheme in Kigali to back climate adaptation for about 260,000 small farmers across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, including irrigation, storage, renewables and resilient processing. New Farmer Training in Wales: Wales’ Farmstart programme opened applications to help aspiring farmers access land, shared machinery and mentoring for year-long, hands-on business training. El Niño Tea Crisis in India: Nilgiris tea growers face major green-leaf shortfalls as heat and failed monsoon conditions cut supply to factories, threatening tea powder output and livelihoods. Drought and Fertilizer Pressure: Sri Lanka’s insurance board says El Niño-linked dry weather damaged 8,500 acres and will start payouts; in Bangladesh, paddy prices fell to Tk 800–950 per maund while costs rose, squeezing farmers. Rural Credit Moves: USDA will streamline farm loan processing via a permanent fast-track approach to speed approvals for farmers and ranchers. Food Security Tensions in South Asia: Tamil Nadu farmers plan a five-day protest against Karnataka’s Mekedatu dam push, arguing it threatens irrigation water shares. Livestock and Biosecurity: SIART training in the Solomon Islands boosts young extension officers with financial literacy and feed formulation skills for local agribusiness groups.

Drought Relief & Crop Risk: France announced a €1B package for drought-hit farms, including €520M rapid payments and a €235M recovery fund to help with seeds, fodder and stabilization. Ag Weather: Missouri and the Corn Belt are seeing heat plus low moisture threaten late-stage crops, with drought impacts flagged across parts of the Dakotas, Minnesota and beyond. U.S. Policy Watch: Farmers are waiting on more clarity for the proposed WOTUS rule as EPA and the Army seek feedback to reduce regulatory uncertainty. Fertilizer Supply: USDA says the U.S. is positioned to produce enough nitrogen fertilizer for farmers and export more, tied to natural gas access. Local Markets & Demand: In Ohio, cyclospora concerns are pushing shoppers toward farmers markets, boosting sales and foot traffic as growers adjust what they bring. Livestock Health: Wisconsin confirmed a horse case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, urging vaccination discussions with veterinarians. Farm Business Sentiment: Purdue research finds farmers are more optimistic about their future than in over a year, even as input costs worry them. On-the-Ground Farming: A Minnesota corn grower used a corn rally to empty bins and add new-crop sales while drought could still trim yields. Water Governance: Farmers in Dindigul district (India) are demanding drought-hit status and compensation amid drying water sources and calls to waive crop loans.

El Niño & Drought Planning: Philippines’ DA warns September will decide planting for El Niño-hit Northern Mindanao, flagging 92,000 ha of corn and 49,000 ha of palay as vulnerable. Fertiliser Supply Push: Malaysia’s NAFAS moves to deliver supplementary NPK to 40,000 padi farmers in the Muda area after delays, with phased distribution starting immediately. Water Allocations Revised: Australia’s Murray system seasonal determination rises, lifting high-reliability shares and improving allocation prospects as storages benefit from recent rainfall. Irrigation Drainage Guidance: A new toolkit helps farmers manage irrigation drainage to cut waterlogging and salinity risks, stressing whole-farm planning and permit rules. Biosecurity & Bird Flu: Victoria orders poultry to be housed to reduce contact with wild birds as H5 bird flu risk rises along the coast. Trade & Farm Economics: Wisconsin Democrats and the Wisconsin Farmers Union discuss soaring farm bankruptcies and trade policy pressure. Prices Squeeze Growers: Falling vegetable retail prices in Australia are cutting grower returns while supermarket profits rise. Nature-Friendly Farming: Warwickshire Wildlife Trust secures nearly £18,500 to help farmers take practical steps for biodiversity, soil health, and climate resilience. Global Ag Supply: OZblu blueberries from Zimbabwe make their first shipment to China, expanding a year-round premium supply window. Farm Safety: A Wisconsin farmer dies after being trapped in a grain bin while unloading corn.

Fertilizer Supply Security: A new phosphate terminal under construction at the Port of Johnstown aims to move up to 400,000 tonnes a year, giving Canadian farmers an alternative to U.S.-routed imports. Farmer Support & Training: India’s paddy programme in Vijayawada pushes nutrient fixes and water-saving AWD methods, while Dimapur’s KVK training and seed distribution targets pulses like rice bean and cowpea. Regenerative Farming Funding: Napa Green won a $3 million NACD grant, with $2 million flowing to Napa Valley growers for cover crops, compost, no-till and rotational grazing. Input Access & Youth Jobs: Ghana’s NEIP CEO Eric Adjei donated 1,500 bags of fertiliser to Jaman North farmers, and a Ghana minister urged youth to see farming as a real income path. Policy & Politics: Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Volunteers for Agriculture® released 2026 legislative endorsements; U.S. House Democrats urged Agriculture Committee oversight of the farm crisis. Climate & Crop Resilience: Research points to a molecular mechanism helping leaf pores stay active during heat stress, while El Niño warnings drove local farmer and fisher awareness efforts. Food Security Shock: Gaza farmers rebuild a seed bank after war damage to preserve local crop varieties. Safety & Risk: A Wisconsin grain bin accident killed a 74-year-old farmer, underscoring hazards during harvest handling.

Farmer Safety & Crime: A 31-year-old sugarcane farmer was gunned down in Bukidnon, Philippines, after a gunman barged into his hut during breakfast, prompting an active police investigation. Seeds & Food Security: In Gaza, farmers are rebuilding a destroyed native seed bank and restarting local cultivation to protect heirloom crops despite war damage and occupation. Protests & Farm Policy: Punjab farmers at the Chandigarh border entered Day 3, pressing for a legal MSP guarantee, debt relief, crop insurance, and changes to water-sharing deals, with unions saying the government has stayed silent. Climate Stress & Livestock/Crops: South Africa’s agriculture department warned El Niño could bring hotter, drier conditions, raising risks of crop failure and livestock losses without heat and pest controls. Water Crisis: Maharashtra faces a major rainfall deficit, with 14 districts at high water stress and officials warning of damage to soybean and cotton if rain doesn’t arrive soon. Aquaculture Momentum: Malawi farmers are turning to fish farming to stabilize household income and food supply as rainfall swings threaten rain-fed maize. Dairy Compliance: Ireland’s agriculture department told dairy farmers to declare organic nutrient movements to outblock farms via MyAgfood.ie, with a Dec. 31, 2026 deadline. Agri-solar Research: Australia’s Fulbright-funded research will test “solar grazing,” using sheep under solar arrays to manage vegetation and create new farm income.

Drought Relief & Farm Survival: Germany’s agriculture minister warned drought damage is a national crisis and outlined a €1 billion support plan with low-interest loans, tax relief and targeted fertilizer help. Weather Stress on Crops: Wisconsin reported patchy rain that eased some soil moisture but left northwest areas in severe dryness, while Saskatchewan harvest delays and damp dews threaten crop quality. Cover Crops for Water Quality: Iowa’s Greater Des Moines Watershed program enrolled over 300,000 acres of cover crops, nearly tripling 2025 levels, with more signups through Sept. 9. Digital Farming Records: Telangana began a digital crop registration drive photographing 1.93 crore farm fields to streamline governance and link procurement to registered crop data. Animal Health & Risk Management: Western Cape’s foot-and-mouth disease vaccination drive hit about 82% primary coverage and 30% boosters, with stable vaccine supplies. Policy & Credit for Rural Women: India’s SHG credit-access meeting in Mumbai targets faster, larger loans for women-led rural enterprises. Market Access & Tech in Ag: ADM’s Producer Direct program aims to make grain delivery and bidding easier for farmers, while China’s northeast showcased AI, drones and mechanization to boost precision farming. Global Farm Safety: New research estimates nearly half of the world’s farmers are poisoned by pesticides each year, urging safer crop protection.

Fisheries Tech Push (Philippines): DA-BFAR will co-host the Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technologies Conference 2026 in Cebu (Sept. 8–10), spotlighting digital tools for traceability, risk assessment, and better enforcement against illegal fishing. Smart Farming Funding (Malaysia): Perak is seeking 2027 budget support to expand its Smart Agriculture Development Programme, targeting smart-farm areas and projects using irrigation, robotics, mechanisation, and controlled-environment farming. Food Security Cooperation (GCC/Qatar): Qatar reaffirmed GCC work on the Food Security Strategy, including plans for regional strategic reserve zones for essentials like food and medicine. Water Shock Hits Crops (Israel): Desalination disruptions from high seawater turbidity are forcing limits on landscaping and agricultural water use while authorities ramp up alternative supplies. Pesticide Poisoning Crisis: A new study estimates ~46% of the world’s farmers are affected by unintentional acute pesticide poisoning each year, with major impacts in southern Asia and high death tolls. Dairy Price Pressure (India): Haryana dairy operators ratified higher buffalo and cow milk rates, citing rising feed and transport costs, with penalties for selling below fixed prices. Biosecurity Alert (New Zealand): Greater Wellington detected invasive Madagascar ragwort and is urging farmers to report sightings to protect cattle and horses. Right-to-Repair Deadline (US): Farmers with eligible John Deere purchases must file claims by Dec. 31 in the Deere repair settlement. Mental Health in Farming (Hawaii): Suicide Prevention Awareness Month highlights elevated risk for agriculture workers amid repeated storms and financial stress. Biosecurity/Forensics for Rural Theft (UK): Durham Police will pilot DNA tagging kits for farmers to deter and help solve rural crime.

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 low current payout rates for farmer aid and a need for more fertilizer and fisheries support. Project Impact Review (Philippines): Agriculture officials said they’re still assessing how the Pax Silica development in Capas, Tarlac could affect tens of thousands of farmers’ land, with early signals suggesting limited direct impact. Digital Aquaculture Support (Malaysia): Fisheries launched eSPeKS and AquaTrack to streamline aquaculture assistance applications and help farmers run digital farm logs, including feed and yield tracking. Weather Risk & Crop Damage (US): Illinois crop insurance claims are rising as excessive rainfall drives replanting and production-loss payouts; Purdue Extension also warns late-summer heat could speed corn maturity and raise stalk-quality concerns. Biofuels Policy Clash (US/Iowa): Iowa lawmakers criticized EPA ethanol blending waivers for small refineries, arguing they could undermine future biofuels requirements. Livestock & Trade Security (Nagaland): Nagaland’s veterinary department is seeking to restore quarantine check posts to enable livestock health checks at state entry points. Aquaculture Disease Losses (Bangladesh): Shrimp disease wiped out stock across hundreds of farms in Batiaghata, with losses reported at over Tk 15 crore. EU Farm Resilience Call: European farmer groups urged stronger CAP support as heat and drought cut yields and strain forage and input costs. Rural Markets & Food Access: Multiple local farmers markets and CSA programs are rolling into September, including new “Market Bucks” promotions and fall CSA sign-ups.