AGP Executive Report

Rice Policy & El Niño Prep: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture says it will not ban rice imports even as shipments hit 3.3 million MT, arguing it needs buffer stocks ahead of expected El Niño impacts later this year. Water Security: South-central Washington’s water-rights fight is escalating as irrigators urge faster groundwater approvals that have stalled farmworker housing. Farm Inputs & Finance: Nigeria’s agricultural finance push highlights digital lending and data partnerships aimed at widening farmers’ access to credit. Regenerative Agriculture: HEINEKEN UK is scaling a regenerative malting barley program, paying farmers premiums to make the transition commercially viable. Livestock Tech: LoneStar Tracking expands satellite-powered GPS monitoring for cattle and livestock in remote areas without cellular coverage. Aquaculture Governance: Iraq’s Kurdistan region is cracking down on unlicensed fish farms, with only a fraction of operations holding valid permits. USDA Wildlife Access: USDA backs voluntary public access on private lands via a $52M program, supporting hunting and fishing while benefiting farmers and ranchers.

Mechanization Boost (Philippines): The Sugar Regulatory Administration handed over a cane grabber and tractor to Mindanao’s MINFED in Bukidnon, aiming to cut costs and speed harvest logistics for tens of thousands of sugarcane farmers. Farm Bill Momentum (US): Sen. John Boozman released updated “Farm Bill 2.0” text ahead of a Senate Agriculture markup, including support for year-round E15 sales and changes tied to SNAP error reduction. Water Stress & Flood Impacts (South Asia): Kashmir saw multiple cloudbursts and flash floods that damaged agriculture fields and swept away a woman working in an agriculture plot. Climate Pressure on Crops (Europe): Heat and drought are expected to push olive oil prices higher again as vegetable and grape yields take hits across multiple countries. Food Safety Recall (US): Botticelli Foods recalled Walmart-distributed pistachio nut butter after salmonella was found in jars. Agricultural Finance & Trade Rules (Pakistan): Pakistan is moving to overhaul agricultural trade with a new AI-enabled single-window regulator (NAFSA) to speed clearances and strengthen food safety. Irrigation Worries (Cyprus): Farmers’ union in Cyprus warns of worsening irrigation shortages and criticizes delayed planning and desalination-first priorities. Agri-Trade Logistics (Black Sea): Shipowners reduced commercial traffic through Black Sea ports as attacks cut Ukrainian grain export capacity by about a third. Seed Policy Shift (China): China’s new seed IP “Essentially Derived Variety” rules begin rolling out, expanding protections for breeders across multiple major crops.

Port & Food Safety: The Philippines’ Bureau of Customs at Subic pulled four more overstaying refrigerated containers with agricultural and processed goods for condemnation and disposal, bringing the total to 25 of 118, after foul-odor and leachate pollution concerns. Regional Fruit Losses: SAARC Agriculture Centre urged stronger regional cooperation to cut fruit post-harvest losses across South Asia, calling for shared solutions to protect food security and farm incomes. Co-ops Push: Tanzania’s VP Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi urged farmers, livestock keepers and fishers to join Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies to access markets and services, with tighter oversight for misuse of assets. Crop & Input Support: Bangladesh’s Jelapang Padi Darul Ehsan rice initiative reported 7.5 MT/ha average yield in 2025/26 Season 2; Ghana’s MP Agbeve secured 1,000 fertilizer bags for farmers. Policy & Finance: USDA Rural Development opened applications (to Aug. 17) for the $500m FIELDS program to expand domestic fertilizer production. Livestock Controversy: Northern Ireland’s Stormont agriculture committee will meet over the shooting of 51 cows near Fivemiletown, with an external review already ordered. Tech & Farming: University of Idaho researchers identified a naturally occurring wheat mutation linked to a 5–10% yield increase, with molecular markers to speed breeding. Food Business: Bhutan’s “Taste Bhutan” brand launched for Singapore, while Georgia appointed Levan Karumidze to lead its National Gastronomy Agency.

Biogas & CBG Investment: Finnish and Indian firms launched a joint venture to build modular plug-flow compressed biogas plants in India, aiming to turn farm and municipal organic waste into cleaner energy faster and with less water. Animal Health Shock: Australia confirmed its first H5 bird flu mass mortality event after seabirds died in South Australia, warning more wildlife losses are likely as surveillance ramps up. Floods Hit Farming Communities: Monsoon flooding across India’s Assam, Kerala and Chhattisgarh left dozens dead and over a lakh people affected, with local rescues saving more than 1,000 villagers and officials reviewing farm support and erosion plans. Water Stress Protest: Tamil Nadu farmers staged a sand-burial protest demanding Cauvery water release and opposing the Mekedatu dam, escalating pressure on Karnataka and the Supreme Court. Agri-Finance & Market Access: Ireland’s Budget debate includes simplifying business succession, while EPA Victoria fined an intensive farm operator for illegal burning of treated farm waste—another reminder that compliance and waste handling matter. Value-Chain Growth: Africa trained 81 cashew value-chain actors in Mombasa to boost production, processing and market access, while Zamboanga del Sur in the Philippines mapped 2026–2031 commodity priorities from rice and corn to milkfish and seaweed.

Plant Health Watch: Mindanao sugarcane planters are battling the fast-spreading Red Stem Scale Insect, now confirmed across four provinces and 1,306 hectares, with officials pushing monitoring and containment to protect yields ahead of the November milling season. Food Security & Tech Trials: In Eastern Samar, the Philippines’ Rice Derby 2026 is testing modern rice production methods on 150 hectares with 200+ farmers, aiming to lift yields, cut costs, and help farms adapt to climate stress. Water Infrastructure: India’s Ujh Multipurpose Project in Jammu & Kashmir is set to move forward in phases, starting construction while land acquisition continues, with plans for power generation and irrigation for nearly 90,000 hectares. Market Stabilization: Bangladesh expects green chilli prices to fall within 2–5 days after green chilli imports begin and import duties are reduced. Climate Extremes: Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district is reeling from torrential monsoon rains, with rivers near danger levels and landslides flooding arecanut plantations and fields. Agritech for Farmers: Bangladesh’s HSTU student built an AI “Crops Doctor” to diagnose crop diseases from uploaded photos and guide treatment. Drought Relief (US): USDA designated five Montana counties as primary drought disaster areas, unlocking emergency loan assistance for eligible farm operators.

Aquaculture Support: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture will distribute fingerlings to fishpond operators hit by fishkills and plans solar-powered aerators for small farms, with officials stressing local bangus and tilapia production remains stable. Wildfire & Burn Restrictions: Washington State declared a statewide emergency and burn ban as extreme heat and wind fueled major fires; Spokane-area evacuations escalated to “go now” orders, with shelters and animal support opened. Water Stress for Farming: Maharashtra’s monsoon is leaving many villages short of drinking water and dams at about 66.8% capacity mid-season, with Marathwada hit hardest—an early warning for farm and rural supply. Bird Flu Preparedness: New Zealand officials told MPs the H5N1 spread is likely to continue, focusing on surveillance and resilience while noting trade status is unaffected. Agricultural Finance Push: Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture is shifting toward digital lending and value-chain financing to reach more farmers, using farmer aggregation and technology to cut loan administration costs. Policy & Rural Livelihoods: India’s Odisha and Madhya Pradesh are expanding support for women’s self-help groups with new centers and large loan disbursements.

Climate & Food Prices: Europe’s record June heat is already reshaping grain forecasts, with traders cutting expected EU/UK production after weeks of extreme temperatures. Drought & Wildfire Risk: Oregon’s Lane County is bracing for worsening drought and wildfire threats as snowpack hits record lows. Monsoon Damage: Maldives monsoon rains have caused major, fast damage to fields on Kandoodhoo, with councils now assessing losses. Farm Policy & Support: The U.S. approved federal farm relief for New York fruit and specialty crop growers after an April frost; separately, Wisconsin warns storm victims about repair scams. Ag Tech in the Field: China is scaling drone crop-dusting across rice paddies, reporting lower per-hectare costs and higher yields. Livestock & Biosecurity: USDA confirmed New World screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico, triggering movement controls and surveillance. Soil & Resilience: Delaware plans a soil health field day featuring mapping tools to cut fertilizer use. Local Markets: Qatar’s dates exhibition at Souq Waqif drew ~38,000 visitors and ~76,500kg of sales in six days. Agricultural Development: Sarawak will develop the RASCOM site for housing, infrastructure, and agriculture. Energy & Land Use: New York pushes back on claims that solar is swallowing farmland, arguing leases can keep land in production. Research for Climate-Resilient Crops: Bangladesh is prioritizing new rice varieties, including a cold-tolerant release for flood-prone Haor regions.

Food Ingredients Innovation: C16 Biosciences is launching Palmless Cocoa Butter Equivalent, aiming to cut chocolate makers’ supply and performance headaches with precision-fermented fats. Bio-Based Reformulation: Afyren is pushing bio-based organic acids made from non-food farm by-products, targeting lower-carbon replacements for petrochemical inputs. Animal Health Watch: Australia reports another 19 H5N1 detections (wild seabirds), bringing the national total to 52, with poultry still unaffected. Plant Disease Alert: Haryana’s paddy belt has traces of “Fiji virus” (Southern Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus), raising fears of major yield loss if spread isn’t caught early. Farmer Support & Policy: USDA reminds U.S. producers of early-August deadlines for specialty crop and disaster programs, plus ARC/PLC base-acre review by Aug. 31. Trade & Logistics: Vietnam’s agro-forestry-fishery exports are on track but industry wants bottlenecks cleared to hit the $74B 2026 target. Input Costs Pressure: Louisiana rice growers say yields are holding up, but profits are crushed by fertilizer and other cost spikes. Food Safety: USDA issued public health alerts for undeclared allergens in frozen Costco burritos and possible Listeria in curry chicken salad; Maple Leaf Foods recalls imported smoked bacon. Digital Agriculture & Finance: South Africa’s banks are embedding into farmer tools via platforms like PrysWys, linking input ordering with pre-approved financing. India Farm Income: India’s Cabinet extended PM-KISAN to 2030-31, continuing DBT payments to eligible farmers.

Quarantine & Biosecurity: New York’s DEC and Agriculture and Markets set up a laurel wilt quarantine district in Suffolk County towns after confirmation of the invasive plant disease, restricting movement of sassafras, spicebush woody material and untreated firewood. Trade & Exports: APEDA backed first air shipments of Karnataka mangoes (Neelam and Totapuri) to the Maldives and value-added makhana to Canada, with farmers reporting higher returns via value addition and new market access. Drought Response: Indonesia says it has tackled 294 drought hotspots by prioritizing irrigation and clean water, including groundwater mapping using isotope technology. Climate Stress on Farms: Assam faces one of its worst floods in years, with heavy monsoon rains, silt-laden rivers, deforestation and erosion blamed for widespread damage to farmland and livelihoods. Livestock & Policy: Northern Ireland’s agriculture minister faced questions after a court-ordered cattle euthanasia operation, with officials citing legal obligations and public disruption delays. Community & Learning: Oxford City FC partnered with Oxford City Farm to expand community education and hands-on food-and-farming activities. Agriculture Support Programs: Wisconsin opened dairy processor grant applications (up to $50,000) and warned homeowners to avoid “storm chasers” after severe weather repairs.

CAFO Pressure in Missouri: Newton County residents protested four nearby poultry CAFO permits, arguing state rules don’t add up when facilities sit close together, raising potential setback concerns. USDA Legal Fight: Five nonprofits sued USDA over alleged unlawful grant restrictions tied to DEI-related conditions. Heat Stress Livestock Losses: South Dakota reported more than 1,000 cattle deaths from extreme heat and drought, with producers warning water shortages could force herd sales. Avocado Disease Tool: Australia’s researchers highlighted a new approach to fight avocado Phytophthora root rot, aiming to improve adoption of proven management practices. Edible Oil Strategy: Tanzania unveiled a 10-year plan to cut reliance on imported edible oil and target self-sufficiency by 2035, aiming to save about $200m a year. Trade & Food Security: The US and India backed soybean AI research, while the Philippines launched “Project CocoBridge” to push coconut exports into GCC supermarkets. Market & Policy Updates: Kansas farmers are testing new durum wheat for pasta; Sri Lanka ran a cinnamon packaging compliance workshop ahead of EU enforcement; and New Zealand named Ngāi Tahu Farming as preferred operator for Molesworth Station. Food Safety & Waste: USDA issued a public health alert over listeria risk tied to a ready-to-eat product, alongside renewed focus on cutting food waste.

Fisheries Modernization: Philippines President Marcos Jr. ordered continued rehabilitation of fish ports, spotlighting Sual Fish Port Complex upgrades meant to cut post-harvest losses and boost cold storage and market access. Aquaculture & Habitat: Malaysia plans to release about 200,000 blue swimming crab juveniles over a year, pairing breeding releases with seagrass conservation to support fishermen’s catches. Trade for Fresh Produce: Egypt and the Philippines finalized a deal granting immediate market access for grapes, onions, garlic, tomatoes and carrots, aiming to strengthen food security through diversified supply. El Niño Watch: New reporting highlights rising El Niño odds and the risk of drought or flooding across key farming regions, with analysts debating how much global food output will actually be hit. Drought in the UK: Wales has been officially declared in drought status after low rainfall and heatwaves, adding pressure on farming and water planning. Agri-Finance in Europe: Moldova is set to receive €150m from the EIB for Fruit Garden of Moldova II, targeting modernization across horticulture, livestock, aquaculture, processing and irrigation. Livestock Theft Crackdown: Tennessee’s Ag Crime Unit recovered a stolen horse and arrested two suspects, underscoring enforcement against livestock theft. Protein Supply Shift: Leaft Foods is pushing alfalfa-leaf Rubisco protein as a “whey Plan B” amid tight whey supplies and rising costs.

Water & Infrastructure Pressure: In Pakistan’s Punjab, residents near the Lillah-Jhelum dual carriageway and the Jalalpur Irrigation Project are urging fixes to faulty drainage and missing mini-bridges that are flooding homes and blocking access to fields and grazing. Agri-Food Trade & Branding: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture and IPOPHL renewed a push for geographical indications to protect origin-linked agri-fishery products, securing GI registration for priority items like heirloom rice, mangoes, cacao, durian, bangus and more. Biosecurity & Livestock Movement: The US USDA says the Douglas port of entry will reopen for Mexico cattle imports in late August after restrictions tied to New World Screwworm, with multiple veterinary inspections before animals cross. Animal Health Watch: Australia confirmed local spread of H5 bird flu in wildlife, with cases in South Australia and Victoria raising fresh biosecurity alarms for agriculture. Farm Policy & Inputs: India’s Madhya Pradesh farmers ended a moong protest after the state agreed to procure 60% at MSP for eligible growers and suspended the fertiliser e-token system pending fixes. Seaweed Boost: The Philippines opened its first seaweed bioreactor facility in Sorsogon to produce disease-free planting materials year-round, aiming to lift production and exports. Water Stress Data: India’s Haryana remains over-exploiting groundwater at 136.75% of replenishable levels, keeping pressure on irrigation and farming sustainability.

Drought & Heat Stress: About half of England is now officially in drought after a record-dry July, with rainfall at just 7% of expected levels (1% in parts of the south) and no meaningful rain forecast soon—raising pressure on farmers and water supplies. Wildfire Risk: Turkey’s agriculture ministry says wildfires near southern tourist beaches have forced evacuations, with fires starting on agricultural land and spreading into forests. Climate Outlook: El Niño is expected to strengthen later this year, with uneven impacts across Africa—drier conditions in parts of the west and flooding risk in parts of the east. Farm Viability & Policy: Ireland’s ICSA warns generational renewal won’t happen without economically viable family farms, urging the next CAP to put farm viability first. Input Costs & Support: Ireland still hasn’t decided how to deploy its share of the EU fertiliser support package (allocated €15.38m), as nitrogen prices remain sharply higher. Ag Innovation: Bangladesh’s Gazipur Agricultural University patented a way to turn jackfruit seeds into mineral-rich nutrient concentrate, aiming to cut waste and boost functional food options. Food Safety & Markets: Ghana faces calls for stronger monitoring after FDA action over unhygienic fish processing, while politicians question Upper East Region exclusion from a World Bank feeder-road project. Agri-Adaptation Finance: New York secured a USDA disaster designation for frost and freeze damage affecting fruit growers, unlocking low-interest emergency loans. Agri-Energy Link: A new explainer highlights agrovoltaics—growing food alongside solar power—as a growing option for farmers. Livestock & Biosecurity: Australia reports suggestive local transmission of H5N1 bird flu in South Australian birds, signaling a shift in the outbreak’s risk profile. Waste & Recycling: Dubois County (Indiana) set Agriculture Recycling Day for Aug. 5 to recycle triple-rinsed pesticide containers.

Food Policy & Trade: A Philippine analysis argues rice and sugar over-imports, cartel-style manipulation, smuggling, and fiscal leakages are hitting farmgate prices and farmers harder than headline infrastructure scandals. Pest & Crop Protection: The red-striped soft scale insect has been found in Sultan Kudarat sugarcane, with the Philippines rolling out a P35M Visayas intervention using drones and other spraying to slow spread. Aquaculture Diversification: The Philippines’ BFAR is pushing rabbitfish (“samaral”) culture to diversify aquaculture and raise fishermen’s incomes via breeding, hatcheries, and grow-out systems. Dairy Exports: Assam (India) flagged off Purabi Dairy’s first ice cream export to Bhutan, aiming to open new markets for dairy cooperatives. Land & Rural Development: Henderson County (North Carolina, US) is advancing a $25M farmland preservation bond for a Nov. 3 vote, using easements to protect farms from development. Co-ops & Finance: India’s Jamnagar co-op bank inaugurated a new headquarters to support farmers and strengthen cooperative reforms. Climate & Water Stress: Montana’s Wheatland County declared a drought emergency as extreme conditions strain ranchers with feed and water shortages. Livelihoods & Community: Kenya relocated five elephants to reduce crop damage and human-wildlife conflict in Mwea.

Water Crisis in the U.S. Southwest: New reporting shows Lake Powell and Lake Mead hit the lowest combined live storage on record, underscoring how the Colorado River drought is tightening pressure on farms and communities. Local Food Funding (Illinois): Illinois awarded nearly $4 million in Local Food Infrastructure Grants to help producers store, process, package, and distribute locally grown food. Soil Testing Goes Mobile (Punjab, Pakistan): Punjab launched “Lab on Wheels” to test soil and water at farmers’ fields and deliver fertilizer and crop guidance via phone. Irrigation Upgrade (Angola): Humpata’s renovated irrigation canal and weir restarted service, supporting cereal and vegetable production for hundreds of peasant families. Livestock & Produce Protection (Colorado): Three Colorado agriculture laws take effect Aug. 12, including rules against fake “Colorado-grown” labeling and new support for first-time farmers. Food Safety Recall (U.S.): Maple Leaf Foods recalled about 12,036 pounds of imported smoked bacon after inspection issues. Dairy Processing Support (Wisconsin): Wisconsin opened Dairy Processor Grant applications, aimed at modernization, food safety, and profitability. Mosquito Control (Maryland): Maryland plans ULV spraying for adult mosquitoes in Prince George’s County to reduce disease risk. Post-Harvest Losses (Ghana): A Ghana report highlights costly maize storage losses and the scale of post-harvest damage farmers face.

USDA Livestock Trade: USDA says it will reopen southern U.S. ports to cattle imports from Mexico starting Aug. 24 after New World screwworm risk eased, with inspections at every entry point. AI for the Farm: Australia’s women-on-the-land leaders say AI and automation could cut the “mental load,” from autonomous spraying to robotic field work and satellite animal monitoring. Food Safety & Poultry: A study links industrial poultry farming to a major rise in Campylobacter/food-poisoning bacteria, raising pressure for better controls. Mechanization Push: The Philippines distributed nearly 35,000 farm machines to cut labor and postharvest losses, including tractors, harvesters, dryers and precision seeders. Climate Stress: Extreme rainfall and flooding across Asia are damaging crops and livestock, while drought in Nepal’s Salyan is leaving fields uncultivated. Land Use & Farming Futures: A Herefordshire charity boxing night raised funds for farmer mental health, and in the U.S. a solar plan faces backlash for taking productive sugarcane land. Research & Policy: EU moves forward on New Genomic Techniques regulation, while India expands GI protection for regional farm products like cumin and fennel.