AGP Executive Report

Farm Safety & Violence: Police in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon are investigating the stabbing death of an 82-year-old farmer found tied to a sofa with 14 wounds. Fisheries & Post-Harvest: Philippines’ agriculture chief inspected a new 60-metric-ton ice plant at Bulan Fish Port, with plans to expand into a five-hectare agro-marine industrial port by 2028 to cut losses and protect fish value. Rural Politics & Agriculture Priorities: In California’s 3rd Assembly District, former Chico mayor Andrew Coolidge endorsed Jamie Johansson, citing rural healthcare, public safety, and protecting agriculture. Water Security & Farm Incomes: Uttar Pradesh is revamping Prayagraj’s “Khet Talab Yojana” with farm ponds and rainwater harvesting subsidies to recharge groundwater and support diversification. Drought Fallout: Colorado peach growers warn prolonged Colorado River drought and weak snowpack are threatening yields and growers’ futures. US Farm Aid Push: The Trump administration seeks $11.1 billion in agricultural assistance, including $10 billion for 2026 economic relief and $1.1 billion for freeze recovery. USDA Funding Reversal: A federal judge ordered USDA to reinstate $127 million in grants for Black and underserved farmers. Fertiliser Supply: India says it strengthened fertiliser security by expanding urea production and diversifying imports to keep supplies steady. Food Prices: Nepal egg prices rose after bird-flu cut production, with farmers still not fully covering costs. Farm Protests: Haryana police sealed the Shambhu border to stop farmers marching to Delhi over a proposed India-US trade deal.

Pesticide Fight in France: France’s parliament is set to reauthorize bee-harming insecticides acetamiprid and flupyradifurone, with Environment Minister Monique Barbut warning she could resign if the Senate approves—sparking backlash from Greenpeace and beekeepers over risks to bees and health. Food Safety: Quebec recalled lean ground beef sold at a Montreal-area grocery due to possible E. coli traces. Regional Food Security: SAARC experts urged stronger South Asia cooperation to improve safe crop production, value chains, and trade. Climate and Prices Watch: Analysts discussed whether El Niño-driven drought could hit South Africa’s 2026/27 harvest and food prices. Farmer Protests and Policy Pressure: India’s Punjab farmers were stopped at the Shambhu border en route to a Delhi mahapanchayat against the India–US trade deal. Agrivoltaics Boom: Texas ranchers are expanding “solar sheep” agrivoltaics, turning solar sites into grazing land for added farm income. Input and Market Integrity: India’s CAMPCO warned that sub-standard imported arecanut is being blended into domestic supply, threatening growers’ livelihoods. Afghan Drought Support: FAO said Afghan farmers still face drought, water shortages, pests and economic pressure, and called for better emergency crop-based assistance.

Fertiliser & farmer prices in focus (India): Congress MLAs staged protests in Madhya Pradesh over fertiliser shortages, e-token delays, and “non-remunerative” crop prices, while BJP defended the e-token system as a curb on black marketing. Food safety & local produce (US): A Cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce remains uncertain after FDA reversed an earlier positive test for Taylor Farms’ iceberg lettuce, pushing shoppers toward local farms and raising questions for growers. Rice support measures (Philippines): Iloilo’s NFA will raise the wet palay minimum buying price to PHP21/kg from September and pause Iloilo rice imports during peak harvest to protect farmers’ returns. Policy for risk management (Canada): Federal-provincial-territorial agriculture ministers pledged AgriStability reforms, including better treatment of family labour and eligible contract work for small farms. Food security expansion (Nigeria): NALDA plans to convert degraded forest reserves into commercial agricultural estates under a mega-farm programme, including cashew clusters for rural livelihoods. Pasture pest alert (Texas, US): Texas officials confirmed pasture mealybug in 70 counties and urged early detection to protect ranch and hay lands. Climate pressure (Global): FAO COAG opened with a call for science and innovation to tackle hunger, soil health, water scarcity, and rural poverty.

Tobacco Supply Chain: PMFTC says it bought 8.297 million kg of Philippine tobacco in 2025—about 69% of what manufacturers received—while the National Tobacco Administration urges earlier planting to blunt looming El Niño dryness. Farm Safety: Farm Safety Week 2026 spotlights serious injuries that can permanently sideline workers, not just fatalities, as agriculture deaths remain a major concern. Climate Stress in Crops: Western Europe faces heat and moisture stress threatening unirrigated crops, adding pressure to already fragile harvest conditions. Water Management for Rice: In Ifugao, the National Irrigation Administration orders irrigators to follow rationing and cropping calendars under the Hapid Irrigation System to protect rice, corn and fishponds during the dry spell. Regenerative Push: ADM, General Mills and Walmart expand regenerative wheat efforts across shared acres, aiming to strengthen resilience for key ingredients. Policy and Regulation: Kenya’s MPs urge the National Biosafety Authority to get an exemption from recruitment freezes to better regulate GMOs. Wildlife Damage: A Malaysian coconut grower reports RM20,000 losses after a wild elephant destroyed 34 fruiting trees, with authorities investigating the animal’s route.

Irrigation Rationing in Ifugao: Nigeria’s Dele Oye warns the federal government’s 900+ MDAs are costing the economy N862bn and stalling reforms, while in the Philippines the National Irrigation Administration orders Ifugao irrigators to stick to water rationing and a cropping calendar under the Hapid Irrigation System to protect rice, corn and fishpond output during dry conditions. Water for Krishna Delta: India’s Andhra Pradesh government halted unauthorised Godavari water lifting from the Polavaram canal to keep flows reaching tail-end Krishna Delta paddy areas. Climate-smart wins in Zimbabwe: A Zimbabwe family in Umguza credits the Intwasa/Pfumvudza conservation agriculture programme with turning repeated drought losses into stable harvests. Pest and input innovation: BASF’s Apthena biological tool aims to attract beneficial insects for earlier aphid control, and Holkham’s UK trial tests liquid low-carbon fertiliser on sugar beet. Farm safety push: Farm Safety Week spotlights life-changing injuries and poor agriculture safety outcomes. Livestock tech: Australia’s virtual fencing startup Halter expands GPS-enabled remote herd management. Policy and trade pressure: CBI arrests a man impersonating an animal husbandry official to extort AHIDF loan bribes, while US moves to impose a 25% tariff on Brazil goods after a trade probe.

Guaranteed price + fertilizer push (Nigeria): Nigeria plans a Guaranteed Minimum Price model for 2 million smallholders and will distribute 10 million fertilizer bags, linking farmers to aggregation companies for certified inputs, extension, and government-approved off-take. Food security aid (Malawi/Morocco): Morocco donated 500 metric tonnes of fertilizer to Malawi to support vulnerable smallholders, with priority for winter irrigation farmers. Export-ready mangoes (Dominican Republic): Plant health upgrades include tighter fruit-fly monitoring and trap review to expand mango exports to Europe and the US. Animal welfare dispute (UK/Ireland): ICSA is calling for an independent investigation into a Department enforcement operation after footage showed cattle destroyed, arguing welfare standards must be met. Climate stress + drought planning (India): Karnataka’s chief minister urged officials to verify drought relief on the ground and prepare for El Niño-linked rainfall deficits; Telangana farmers face water stress and calls for alternative crops. Market pressure on livestock (US): Catfish producers warn rising costs are outpacing prices, pushing senators to seek USDA action to buy surplus. Safety on farms (Australia): Farmsafe Australia’s Safer Farms report says 53 farm deaths and 182 serious injuries occurred in 2025, renewing calls for stronger safety culture. Horticulture exports (India): First shipment of premium Kashmir cherries and Centrose plums to Singapore aims to raise grower prices and expand export access. Agriculture tech + heritage (UAE/Kyrgyzstan): Abu Dhabi launched a date palm documentation initiative using a digital registration app; Kyrgyzstan and the EU discussed irrigation modernization, organic farming, and EU market access.

Farmer Income & Policy: Telangana’s Tummala Nageswara Rao urges southern states to push the Centre for oil palm MSP and higher crude palm oil import duty to stabilize growers’ earnings. Market Access: Pokhara Metropolis backs cattle farmers with incentive grants and improved seed distribution, while Fiji’s Wainunu opens a new farmers market to cut transport costs and boost local sales. Sugar Industry: Fiji MP Alvick Maharaj argues privatising FSC could revive the sugar sector and calls for faster, in-season cane payments. Land Conflicts: In Hyderabad’s Shamshabad, protests erupt as officials fence land for the bullet train hub; farmers and political leaders accuse authorities of taking fertile farmland without fair compensation, with arrests reported. Food Safety & Demand: Cyclospora fears keep driving shoppers toward farmers markets in the US, with vendors reporting strong turnout and early sellouts of leafy greens. Tech for Farming: Australia expands virtual fencing via app-controlled herd management, and Malaysia promotes retired civil servants to enter modern, tech-enabled agrofood businesses. Livestock & Training: Southeast Mississippi hosts a first Ag Career Day for youth, and Belize runs pasture establishment training with grass seed support. Crop Updates: Zimbabwe seed cotton intake falls sharply as the 2026 marketing season nears end, while Kashmir’s SKUAST-K launches field outreach to modernize vegetable farming.

Irrigation Pressure: In Malaysia’s Perak, hot weather and a pump breakdown have hit over 400 hectares of padi, stunting growth and disrupting the second planting season. Climate Risk & Water Gaps: Ghana’s Upper East farmers warn that shifting rainfall is shortening seasons and pushing calls for more irrigation, including small dugouts and boreholes, while a prolonged dry spell threatens millet in Nabdam and nearby districts. Land Conflicts: In Telangana, farmers in Bahadurguda near Shamshabad clashed with police and revenue officials over acquisition of 650 acres for a bullet train, with injuries reported. Market Access & Imports: Ghanaian farmer leaders urged tighter control of food imports, saying illegal rice inflows via unapproved borders are flooding markets and blocking sales for local producers. Farmer Protection & Governance: Bangladesh’s agriculture minister promised zero tolerance for irregularities in flood aid distribution and accelerated livestock vaccination. Ag Finance & Insurance: Nigeria’s agricultural insurance push brought NAIC and finance/ag officials together to expand affordable coverage under the Renewed Hope agenda. Export Boost: India’s APEDA helped J&K’s Areko cherries and Scentrose plums reach Singapore for the first time, aiming to lift grower returns. Input Fraud Alert: Karnataka farmers protested alleged counterfeit MKP fertiliser sales, fearing crop losses. Digital Payments: Bushel launched lien protection for grain payments to reduce paper checks and speed settlements. Tech in Farming: A University of Hawaii lab is supplying “clean,” virus-free sweet potato planting material to local growers.

EU Fertilizer Relief: The EU greenlit a €41 million aid plan for Greek farmers to offset higher fertilizer costs, using a temporary state-aid framework. Farm Economy Pressure: Iowa Farm Bureau and partners warned of a multi-year downturn as costs keep outpacing revenues, with net farm income down sharply. Input Cost Fight: A new National Corn Growers Association report says U.S. farmers pay far more for seeds and crop protection than Brazil, fueling calls for relief. Food Safety & Local Markets: Cyclospora linked to pre-chopped Taco Bell lettuce is driving shoppers toward local produce; in New Jersey, farmers stress strict handling and cleaning. Market Disruptions: Erie County’s Lawrence Park Farmers Market was canceled due to hazardous air quality, while other markets continue with health-focused messaging. Weather Hits Harvests: Cold snaps devastated Erie County sour cherries, cutting pick-your-own to just days. Policy & Standards: The U.S. FDA moved to lower the minimum sugar standard for pasteurized orange juice, aiming to modernize rules. Research & Capacity: Montana State University opened a new $58M combined state labs building to strengthen disease testing and diagnostics for agriculture. Ukraine Priorities: Ukraine’s new agrarian minister outlined EU integration, recovery, frontline support, and digital reforms.

Geopolitics & Inputs: South African grain farmers are bracing for the 2026/27 summer season as renewed Middle East conflict threatens fertiliser and fuel prices and disrupts supply chains. Farm Diversification: A fifth-generation wheat grower in the UK is turning to padel courts and a café to survive falling returns. Soil Health: Canada’s Senate agriculture and forestry committee warns soils are degrading fast worldwide, urging regenerative practices to protect yields and water. Weather & Crop Risk: Manitoba asparagus and strawberry growers say extreme weather is hitting hard, but some crops lack crop insurance coverage. Disaster Credit: The US USDA is offering emergency loans for Virginia farmers hit by drought, freeze and frost. Policy Relief: Delhi approved ₹33.31 crore in ex-gratia relief for farmers facing 100% crop loss from heavy rains and waterlogging. Regional Cropping Choices: Telangana’s Vanakalam 2025 data shows paddy and cotton dominating despite El Niño concerns. Agriculture Finance (Nigeria): Nigeria launched a $500m agriculture fund for the Niger Delta, targeting aquaculture, palm oil and livestock. Food Safety & Markets: Iowa farmers are pushing local produce as cyclospora concerns grow. EU Funding Fraud: Latvia faces an EPPO indictment over alleged robotic milking equipment subsidy fraud. Russia Harvest Pressure: Fuel shortages and Azov Sea security risks are tightening logistics and squeezing Russian grain exporters. Conservation Farming: A US farm tour highlights how soil and water management can protect lake ecosystems. Beef Incentives: Ireland’s Hereford Prime rolls out a restructured bonus scheme with sustainability and genetics pillars. Regenerative Training: SEARCA and SEAMEO plan a regional micro-credential curriculum on regenerative and resilient agriculture.

Input-Cost Pressure: East Mississippi and Texas row-crop farmers are bracing for higher fertilizer and diesel costs as Strait of Hormuz shipping tensions raise supply fears. Weather Watch: Manitoba’s crop report says warm, dry conditions helped fields dry and crops recover, while Saskatchewan producers also gained ground with spraying and first-cut haying. Policy & Support: Moldova’s PM-designate met agriculture leaders, calling for less bureaucracy, better financing, irrigation and export support; the U.S. House budget bill also points to billions in new farmer economic aid, and Texas declared an agricultural emergency after major flooding. Farmers’ Tech Attitudes: Purdue’s survey finds many farmers are still cautious about AI, and Minnesota growers are increasingly using spray drones. Market & Food Safety: A Missouri cyclosporiasis outbreak is shifting shoppers toward local farmers markets, while farmers markets continue to expand as community hubs. Global Trade Links: Canada backs digital agriculture through a $3.5M investment, and Armenia moves to enable EU fish exports. Succession Planning: Experts urge families to start succession planning early and keep farm leadership conversations going.

Precision Ag & Data: Earth Daily says more farmers are using satellite imagery and historical field data to spot yield limits and fine-tune crop decisions. Policy & Media: Canada’s federal and provincial agriculture ministers will hold a media address after their annual conference, with registration required. Drought Stress: Greybull River Valley farmers report unplanted fields as drought bites. Farmers’ Markets & Food Access: Indiana’s Covering Kids & Families and CAFE combined health/food-benefit enrollment with a local produce market; Tallahassee also opened a new Davis Farm Fresh Produce market. Women in Agriculture: North Al Batinah launched rural women projects to boost livestock, testing, marketing and waste recycling; Zimbabwe’s chilli contract model is giving women guaranteed buyers and value-added income. Crop Risks & Health: K-State warns agricultural dust can trigger serious illnesses like organic dust toxic syndrome. Regenerative Wheat Deal: General Mills, ADM and Walmart back regen ag on 40,000 Midwest wheat acres with cover crops and reduced tillage support. Global Food Security: FAO scaled Gaza conditional cash for 1,500 farmers to grow vegetables for about 100,000 people. Trade & Inputs Pressure: India reports sharp drops in kharif paddy, pulses and oilseeds sowing, urging ICAR to lift productivity.

Animal Welfare & Enforcement: Ireland’s Department of Agriculture euthanised cattle on two farms in Roscommon and Clare after drone footage circulated online, sparking outrage over how the culling was carried out and calls for full review. Farm Policy & Appeals: Ireland’s Agricultural Appeals Office reported only a one-third success rate for farmers’ challenges to Department scheme decisions in 2025, with many cases disallowed or withdrawn. Land Use & Rural Futures: Ireland’s Just Transition Commission urged a national dialogue on land use and agriculture to protect rural livelihoods amid climate and biodiversity pressures. Trade & Farm Income: Farmers in India’s Punjab and Haryana staged motorcycle protests against a proposed India-US trade deal, warning it could hurt agriculture and livelihoods. Weather Stress: South Kashmir’s Qazigund paddy fields face drought-like conditions as irrigation canal supplies drop, raising fears of crop failure. Health & Food Safety: Cyclosporiasis concerns are driving shoppers toward farmers markets for leafy greens, while health officials urge careful washing and handling. Energy Relief for Farmers: Maharashtra announced a ₹48,000-crore waiver of pending electricity arrears for eligible farmers with up to 7.5 HP pump connections. Climate Risk Planning: Philippines Sen. Kiko Pangilinan pushed for an El Niño readiness inquiry into budgets and contingency plans for agriculture and fisheries agencies. Export Boost: Ladakh flagged off its first 5 MT apricot export consignment to the UAE, aiming to expand fresh fruit market access for growers.

Climate & Water Risk: Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim ordered urgent mitigation for a forecast Super El Niño starting this November, while Irish farmers in north Kilkenny/south Laois pushed back after Uisce Éireann postponed heatwave-era water maintenance that could harm livestock. Policy & Farm Income: Ireland’s ICOS urged Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon to defend CAP funding under the EU presidency, and the Irish Farmers Association called for higher ANC payments and inflation-adjusted rates ahead of Budget 2027. Agri-Tech & Efficiency: Cropin and Google Cloud launched OrbitAI, an agentic AI platform for crops, climate, soil and supply-chain decisions; Orbem is also pitching automated MRI scanning to cut food waste. Energy & Sustainability: Ireland’s €40m biomethane grant scheme left about €21m unspent after only seven AD plants won nearly €19m. Markets & Trade: EU ag markets are expected to stay resilient in 2026, though input costs and heat/water stress could disrupt spring-summer crops. Farmer Support on the Ground: Maharashtra announced a Rs 48,000 crore electricity dues write-off for farm pump users up to 7 HP, and Eastern Visayas’ DA completed over P120m in cash aid for 50,000+ farmers and fisherfolk. Crops & Production Updates: California almond outlook brightened with strong export demand and a slightly smaller 2026 crop expected.

Workforce & Youth Ag: Hawaii launched state-funded paid high school internships in agriculture and aviation, with Aloun Farms and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum leading. Water & Food Security: Iraq’s Al-Muthanna faces worsening wastewater pollution and water shortages that are hitting livestock and farmland; in the Philippines, Isabela farmers are being trained on Alternate Wetting and Drying as Magat Dam levels near critical. Disease & Biosecurity: Libya confirmed a foot-and-mouth outbreak in Msallata, quarantining the area and suspending livestock movement. Farm Progress & Inputs: Nepal reported nearly 50% paddy plantation so far, hoping rains boost planting next week; Kansas coverage highlights cover-crop planning after wheat harvest for High Plains dryland forage. Policy & Rights: The US FTC settlement with Deere expands farmers’ and independent repair shops’ access to diagnostic and repair tools, strengthening right-to-repair. Markets & Trade: USDA data shows corn/soy export inspections down while wheat improved; India’s trade talks with the EU focus on deeper agri-food cooperation. Safety & Community: Minnesota’s water-quality certification program is under scrutiny after a report found some required practices weren’t completed. Local Ag Life: Guidestone Colorado hosted a brunch spotlighting local farmers and ranchers, while events like Westerner Days keep agriculture front and center in community culture.

Heat & animal welfare: Ireland’s agriculture minister urged pet owners and farmers to protect animals from high temperatures and reduce fire risk, including more water checks and safer exercise times. Flood recovery: Bangladesh announced emergency support for flood-hit farmers—seedbeds, paddy seedlings, dry cattle feed, and foot-and-mouth vaccination. Drought & water management: In the Philippines, NIA-MARIIS trained Isabela farmers on Alternate Wetting and Drying to stretch limited irrigation during El Niño-linked dry conditions. Inputs & affordability: Philippines sugar and pork groups pushed for tariff cuts on Canadian farm inputs (fertilizers, pulses, pesticides) to ease cost pressure. Policy & investment: Odisha approved a five-year Rs 2,496.40 crore agri-entrepreneurship subsidy scheme through 2030-31, plus new fisheries service rules. Livestock & compliance: A Minnesota audit found a water-quality certification program’s impact “unclear” and criticized long-standing “contingencies” that let noncompliant producers keep certification. Technology for productivity: New Holland’s Speedrower 1 Series adds relative yield monitoring to help hay producers adjust harvest decisions in real time. Global trade shocks: Russia said it may reroute grain shipments after Sea of Azov attacks, aiming to protect export volumes and domestic supplies. Local ag support: Ghana’s Tano South MCE handed out fertilizers via farmer cooperatives to boost yields, especially for young farmers.