AGP Executive Report

U.S. Farm Finances Under Strain: USDA’s September forecast points to 2026 net farm income falling to $158.4B as production expenses rise, with fertilizer, fuel and livestock costs driving the squeeze. Food Safety Alerts: California’s Happy Hens voluntarily recalled some organic eggs after a salmonella outbreak; Vermont’s Leaping Bear Farm also recalled eggs tied to 14 illnesses. BRICS & Food Systems: BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration, backing a farmer-centric BRICS AGRIN network for agro-inputs, genetic resources and farm information, plus continued work on a grain trading platform. Climate & Agriculture Pressure: Amsterdam drew about 40,000 protesters demanding an end to fossil fuels, while Ukraine warned intensified strikes have cut Black Sea grain export capacity and threaten winter stability. Farm Policy & Markets: Ghana’s President Mahama inspected 24-hour markets meant to give farmers reliable outlets, and announced a maize processing plant plus expanded buffer stock to tackle recurring maize gluts. Sustainable Inputs: A new focus on better use of organic manures highlights lab testing and smarter timing to cut nutrient losses. Renewables vs Farmland: Bulgaria saw protests calling for a temporary moratorium on wind and solar projects on agricultural land.

U.S. Farm Finances Under Strain: The USDA forecast 2026 net farm income at $158.4B, down in real terms as production expenses rise—fuel, fertilizer and livestock costs leading the squeeze—while direct government payments and farm debt both climb. Diesel Hits Harvest Costs: Diesel above $6 a gallon is pushing corn and soybean growers to absorb higher hauling and field costs right when combines are running hardest. Pay-for-Results Dairy Boost (Tanzania): A $2.8M AgResults climate-smart dairy prize competition (2026-2028) will reward service providers only after verified delivery to smallholders, aiming to strengthen resilience and productivity. Women’s Rural Leadership (India): India’s rural development push moves beyond SHG participation toward women as producers, entrepreneurs and decision-makers in economic institutions. Pastoral Adaptation Pressure (Tanzania): Climate change is intensifying drought and erratic rainfall impacts on semi-arid pastoral communities, with water access flagged as a top adaptation priority. UK Policy for Food + Nature: England’s Farming Roadmap frames food production as national infrastructure while pushing an integrated approach to restore nature and meet climate goals. Farm-to-Value Push (Ghana): Ghana’s horticulture expo highlights the need for more local processing and cold-chain/logistics upgrades to grow non-traditional ag exports. BRICS Summit Tensions: Leaders meet in New Delhi amid trade and conflict-linked divisions, with food, energy and supply-chain security central to India’s agenda. Data Centers vs Communities (Maryland): Advocacy groups urge a pause on new data center proposals, citing environmental and grid impacts as local bans spread. Value Crop Opportunity (Bhutan): Bhutan’s hazelnut push is helping subsistence farmers grow a high-value crop suited to steep terrain and soil stability. Barn Conversions Stir Rural Concerns (UK): A proposal to convert redundant agricultural barns into homes faces noise/odour and rural-character objections. Agriculture Research Funding Call (Nigeria): Sasakawa Africa urges more government investment in research, extension and digital advisory services so innovations reach farmers.

Farm Finance Pressure: USDA’s September forecast flags tighter 2026 margins for U.S. farms as production expenses rise faster than revenue, with net farm income projected at $158.4B (down in real terms) and farm debt topping $605B. Energy Cost Shock: Bank of America warns record diesel prices are a “real-economy pressure point” hitting shipping, trucking, and agriculture—on top of already strained budgets. Disaster Relief Access: Connecticut opens applications for a Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant, funded by USDA after late frost, flooding, hail, drought, and excessive moisture. Renewables Meet Rural Life: Cuba’s Las Tunas completes solar parks to stabilize daytime water and health services; in Michigan, Zeeland Township farmers question a solar project’s impact on livestock. Water & Infrastructure for Crops: Alberta irrigation districts report storage and allocations tracking targets, while Highway 3 twinning and a new reservoir move forward to support regional farming. Policy & Research Moves: Iowa gets a new national Agriculture Study Center focused on farm economics; Ghana launches a geophysics project to build climate-smart resilience. Trade & Tech Links: BRICS plans an agri portal to connect farmers, startups, researchers, and investors across member countries.

Farm Profit Squeeze (US): USDA forecasts 2026 net farm income at $158.4B, down in real terms as production expenses rise 4.5% (fertilizer, fuel and livestock costs lead) while direct payments climb and farm debt tops $605B. Ag Tech for Climate-Smart Farming (India): Google and Mitti Labs launch an AI-backed program for Telangana rice farmers to adopt alternate wetting and drying, aiming to cut methane and save water. Sustainable Energy + Farming (India): India’s PM-KUSUM next phase will add a dedicated agrivoltaics component so farmers can earn from crops plus solar power on the same land. Rural Connectivity (UK): Lincolnshire County Council pilots Starlink for rural “not spots” on its county farms to keep broadband from limiting farm operations. Climate Risk for Food (Global): A new review warns climate feedbacks from wildfires and permafrost thaw could add 20–30% more warming than current estimates—raising stakes for agriculture planning. Humanitarian Flood Impact (Nepal): Two weeks after deadly glacial floods, Nepal’s aid needs keep growing as thousands remain missing and communities are still isolated. Water + Trade Shock (Ukraine): Suspension of Ukraine’s maritime corridor threatens not just export revenue but storage capacity, working capital, and the next sowing cycle.

Farm Finance Pressure: USDA forecasts 2026 net farm income at $158.4B, down in real terms as production expenses rise 4.5% on higher fertilizer, fuel and livestock costs, while direct payments jump and farm debt tops $605B. Data for Fairer Markets: A Missouri ag economist says USDA’s data modernization could reduce information gaps that tilt pricing power toward private forecasters, if new tools run alongside existing systems. Climate Risk & Early Warnings: South Africa’s weather service-linked messaging urges farmers to prepare for El Niño-driven below-normal rainfall, pairing resilience with stronger early warning updates. Soil Health on the Ground: A North Routt field day highlighted regenerative grazing and soil-health principles, showing how ranchers can rebuild productivity through rotations and reduced disturbance. Seeds as Strategy: Tanzania’s agriculture minister says seed quality and domestic processing are key to Agenda 10/30, launching new storage and backing public-private seed industry growth. Tech vs Land Use: Illinois farm managers report nearly half of managed acres entered new wind/solar deals in early 2026, while a separate debate in the U.S. questions whether data centers compete with farmland and water. Food Under Heat: In India, restaurants are shifting to “dynamic recipes” as climate makes ingredient availability less reliable. Policy & Protest: New Mexico groups are holding forums against a proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule, arguing for more public input as protections face rollback. Livestock & Feed Innovation: Nigeria’s livestock push gets a boost with Olam Agri’s TruValue feed launch aimed at improving cattle productivity and shortening finishing periods.

Climate risk and floods: Central Luzon and Metro Manila were hit by late-August monsoon downpours that dumped 300–400 mm in days, overwhelming rivers and drainage—an early sign that “habagat” is lingering into the Ber months and disrupting planting, drying, and flood planning. Regional farm resilience: ASEAN and India reaffirmed cooperation on climate-resilient agriculture, resilient value chains, and digital innovation at the 9th ASEAN–India agriculture meeting in New Delhi. Water governance lessons: A report on the Murray–Darling Basin argues Pakistan can’t rely on water-sharing alone; it needs sustainability rules for total use, groundwater, and environmental needs. Aquaculture expansion: California coastal officials moved forward with plans for the U.S.’s largest kelp farm off Southern California, aiming to support soil and plant health in nearby farms. Food security pressure: Nigeria’s food import bill hit N3.3tn in six months, raising alarms about an agricultural crisis. Farm livelihoods and climate justice: Nepal’s agriculture committee urged making climate justice a national issue and pushing for grant-based climate finance tied to agricultural and livelihood losses. Sustainable finance for ag: EBRD is exploring more renewable energy, fertilisers, and agriculture/food processing investment in Egypt. Soil and crop impacts: New Mexico’s climate expert says hotter baselines, shrinking snowpack, and drought are matching long-term Southwest projections. Deforestation-linked charcoal: A UK-linked investigation alleges Paraguayan charcoal supply chains are tied to deforestation, with enforcement gaps around deforestation-free rules. Mechanisation push: Nigeria launched a 3-year training drive for 5,000 women and youth to build mechanisation skills and agribusiness capacity.

Water & Climate Adaptation: Azerbaijan’s COP29 climate lead Mukhtar Babayev says adaptation can’t be separated from water management, warning droughts, floods, and rising demand are making supplies less predictable. ASEAN–India Ag Cooperation: Malaysia’s agriculture minister met scientists and industry at AIMMAF in New Delhi, pushing deeper ASEAN-India links via R&D, tech transfer, investment, and stronger value chains. Agrivoltaics Push: India’s renewables minister Pralhad Joshi says agrivoltaics under PM-KUSUM 2.0 could let farmers stay in crops while earning from solar power, targeting small and marginal farmers. Farmworkers Wages: California’s expanded crop lien law helped recover nearly $10,000 for Coachella Valley moringa workers after wage-and-hour violations. Digital Credit for Farmers: India’s pilot digital Kisan Credit Card system (AgriStack-linked) aims to process eligible loan approvals in under 10 minutes. Animal Tech on Farms: ICAR-Nagaland researchers built an AI system using cameras to track Mithun behavior in real time for health and breeding management. Farmland Under Pressure: Durham County, North Carolina, lost over 40,000 acres of farmland since 1974, prompting a new farmland preservation plan. Trade War Hits Dairy: Trump’s Canadian dairy import ban is sparking backlash as Georgia leaders warn tariffs are already hitting hundreds of products and local businesses. Feed Sustainability in Europe: FEFAC’s Feed Sustainability Charter 2030 report highlights progress toward climate neutrality, responsible sourcing, and animal welfare, alongside EU protein and livestock strategy targets.

Green Finance for Renewables: The European Investment Bank approved a €1 billion credit facility for Elia Transmission Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth Energy Island, aiming to unlock more Belgian offshore wind and support a future UK interconnector. Sustainable Food Markets: Malaysia’s NAFAS says MAHA 2026 delivered RM2.02m in sales and signed deals worth RM1.977b to expand agro-food inputs and fertilizer industry links. Farm Resilience & Water: Wisconsin cranberry growers are using solar- and wind-powered monitoring tech to manage irrigation during drought stress. Fertilizer Compliance: Ireland’s fertiliser users must submit annual closing stock declarations via MyAgFood starting Sept 15 (deadline Oct 15), even if they hold none. EU Food Innovation Push: The European Commission adopted Food 2040 to speed agri-food research into real-world deployment, with focus on healthy diets, resource efficiency, and food safety. Climate Risk to Agriculture: California’s Delta restoration plan faces federal pushback that could restrict water for farmers, raising alarms for the Central Valley’s agricultural economy. Local Ag Policy: Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz urged banks to expand loans for farmers, SMEs and housing under an access-to-finance plan.

Disaster Relief for Farmers: Connecticut opened a new application round for $52.9M in USDA disaster funds to help farms hit by late frost, flooding, hail, drought, and moisture swings in 2023–2024. Farm Skills & Ownership Pathways: Beef + Lamb NZ is launching “Shepherd to Shareholder,” a two-year focus group with eight half-day workshops aimed at building profitability, productivity, and sustainability for future farm owners. Cover Crops Still Catching On: A 2026 U.S. survey finds cover crops remain popular for weed control, yield gains, and profits, with many farmers saying incentives helped them keep using the practice. Food Prices Under Pressure: FAO reports global food prices rose in August to the highest since late 2022, driven by heat/drought, El Niño fears, and trade disruptions affecting staples like wheat and sugar. Trade Tensions Hit Agriculture: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs (15–50%) took effect, with dairy and agricultural equipment flagged as early pressure points—raising uncertainty for U.S.-Canada talks. Clean Tech for Indoor Farming: Canada announced up to $894,673 for SmartGRO to test AI-controlled, ultra-fast pulsing LED lighting to cut energy use in year-round agriculture. Climate + Clean Air Pay Off: A UN/clean-air report says tackling climate change and air pollution together can deliver about $15 in benefits for every $1 invested. Renewables & Land Use: An Indiana study found no widespread home-value drop near wind or utility-scale solar projects, easing a common community concern.

Smallholder Push in Malaysia: Malaysia is studying ways to lift smallholder incomes and keep agri-commodities driving growth, with funding for downstream entrepreneurs, disease control, smallholder road upgrades, and oil palm replanting incentives. Value-Chain Focus: The plantation ministry says smallholder support must move alongside the whole agri-commodity value chain, with more tech adoption and value-added products; replanting benefits already reached thousands of smallholders. EU CAP Funding Pressure: Ireland’s farmers’ union is holding regional CAP information meetings as ministers weigh possible EU competitiveness funding and warn that CAP cuts could hit family farms and rural economies. Azerbaijan Subsidy Overhaul: Azerbaijan is shifting subsidies toward productivity gains—modern irrigation, certified seeds, and better practices—with plans to expand irrigated areas and add targeted livestock and fisheries support. El Niño Risk for Farmers: Namibia is bracing for a hotter, drier rainy season, with farmers already facing water stress and uncertainty over livestock survival. Energy for Food Security: A new push argues Africa can’t reach food security without reliable energy for irrigation, cold storage, processing, and distribution. Trade & Market Access: South Africa’s cherry exports to China are set to expand after a signed market-access protocol, while Chile’s salmon “micro-relocations” plan was struck down by a constitutional court. Ag Tech on the Farm: Pennsylvania’s agriculture innovation grant helped a dairy farm buy a robotic milker, showing how public support is accelerating farm automation.

Climate & Health: The WMO warns wildfire smoke and heatwave-driven ozone are worsening air quality and health risks worldwide, tightening the link between climate and clean-air policy. Air Pollution Policy: Kuwait’s Earth Sciences Society calls for coordinated action to cut dust and sandstorm impacts on air quality and public health. Nigeria Emissions Crackdown: Nigeria moves to tighten vehicle and generator emissions rules as pollution threatens health, ecosystems, and farming livelihoods. Farm Economics & Markets: Corn prices are rising into harvest in the US, but analysts say higher energy and input costs are still squeezing profits. Biofertilizer Breakthrough: Researchers report a soil bacterium genome that can boost growth and unlock nutrients, pointing to lower fertilizer dependence. Agritech Skills: Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire launch a digital farming school with funded training for agritech developers, aiming to solve practical farm problems. Farm Power & Resilience: A new push to let farmers scale up solar could help offset fuel and fertilizer shocks, boosting energy self-reliance. Food System Power: A South Africa op-ed argues hunger persists not from scarcity but from concentrated “gateways” that shape prices and access. Harvest & Rural Culture: Provence’s lavender/lavandin harvest highlights a major essential-oil supply chain, while UT’s Ag Day expands with more family programming.

Climate Risk to Crops: Georgia’s farmers are facing warmer winters, fewer chill hours, earlier blooms and harsher storms, with peaches, blueberries, pecans, peanuts and other staples flagged as especially vulnerable. El Niño Watch: South Africa’s Weather Service warns of a hotter, drier Oct–Dec, raising the odds of yield losses and food-price pressure; across Africa, NOAA says El Niño is strengthening with drought in the south and heavier rain risks in parts of the east. Research Funding for Climate-Smart Farming: Tanzania’s UDSM researchers won over Sh3.12bn to study how shifting weather affects maize in semi-arid and highland areas and to test practical adaptation technologies with farmers. Rural Livelihoods Support: IFAD’s LIFE-ND in Nigeria secured an extra $32m, expanding digital and AI advisory services for rural households, women and young agripreneurs in the Niger Delta. Dairy Decarbonisation: Barry Callebaut and Arla Foods launched a three-year push to cut dairy supply-chain emissions, starting with lower-carbon skimmed milk powder and targeting enteric methane. Agri Innovation Capital: Uganda’s SANDI AI won the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize for using AI to help farmers access security-free loans, backed by $50,000. Policy & Trade for Food Systems: Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa Chamber is setting up a Green Growth Centre to coordinate private-sector engagement for COP32, aiming to move businesses from passive participation to active climate action. Forest Protection vs Development: Turkey’s wildfire-damaged forests are becoming a political flashpoint after a law allows forest status changes for tourism “public good,” sparking fears for protected areas.

Climate-smart farming & drought impacts: Missouri soybean and livestock producers are adjusting as drought and prolonged heat cut yields and forage availability, while flash drought is also reported hitting crops and pastures. Livestock policy & prices: The US beef import plan is rattling Minnesota ranchers, and new Trump executive orders aim to reshape cattle and meat-processing rules—both raising fresh questions about farmgate prices and regional processing capacity. Renewables on farms & in cities: Sydney’s ICC is expanding a rooftop solar farm to power events with lower emissions, and community pushback is growing around a proposed Irish solar farm over potential loss of agricultural land. Ag finance for early-stage businesses: IFAD and AgDevCo backed a $10m blended-finance loan to scale Africa’s agribusinesses, while IFAD also supports youth agribusiness orientation and training. Food security & climate readiness: Research finds Ghana cocoa farmers often think they’re prepared for climate shocks, but preparedness intensity is low—highlighting a gap between perception and real readiness. Waste emissions monitoring: Fiji is strengthening measurement of greenhouse gases from the waste sector to track progress toward its climate targets. Animal health systems: Ethiopia’s West Shewa livestock keepers face broken veterinary delivery—thin clinic capacity and weak diagnostics drive risky self-treatment. School agriculture & water links: Yemen and other regions are rolling out school farming programs, while local meetings in Yemen focus on rainwater harvesting and coordination between water authorities and agriculture.

Food Security & Climate Risk: Nepal is calling for stronger regional cooperation and climate compensation after Himalayan disasters, as lawmakers debate climate-resilient infrastructure and renewable energy links. Ag Policy & Governance: Malaysia’s PM says climate cooperation must protect farmers and smallholders, while Jordan’s youth-led report urges tighter green-tech tax consistency and better household energy efficiency to close the gap between climate plans and delivery. Farmer Support & Inputs: France approved a €1bn aid package for drought-hit farmers, with €520m earmarked for affected producers. Biosecurity & Public Health: A study warns dangerous salmonella strains are rising in chicken and turkey flocks and becoming more resistant to antibiotics. Sustainable Waste & Soil: Egypt’s National Council for Women launched a new agricultural waste recycling phase to make compost, aiming to cut chemical fertilizer reliance and boost rural women’s incomes. Tech for Agriculture: Google DeepMind is rolling out AI tools for farming decisions and climate resilience using satellite data. Renewables for Rural Economies: Zimbabwe’s Gweru is pursuing a 200MW solar farm to diversify municipal revenue and support agriculture and industry. Aquaculture: Iraq’s Nineveh Agriculture Directorate released 400,000 carp fingerlings into the Tigris to restore fish stocks and support livelihoods.

Water for food and jobs (Angola): Angola’s lawmakers say the Ndúe and Calucuve dams will boost irrigated farming, livestock growth, and rural economic empowerment, especially alongside cash-transfer support like Kwenda. Youth and skills in agriculture (Nigeria & Yemen): Nigeria is rebranding livestock to attract young people with tech-driven value chains, while Yemen’s education ministries are rolling out school tree-planting and farm activity programs across Sana’a, Al-Bayda, and Hajjah. Pesticide safety for export (Nigeria): NEPC trained 70 smallholders in Adamawa on safe pesticide handling and application to cut residue rejections abroad. Farm policy and market pressure (U.S.): Virginia cattle farmers warn a tariff-free imported beef plan could crush family farms, while California’s Ramona egg recall dispute continues after a salmonella-linked investigation. Climate stress and displacement (Somalia): Drought, floods, and an approaching El Niño are pushing Somalis into cities as yields collapse. Regulation for new agrifood models (Malaysia): KPKM will use a “sandbox” approach to align rules for AI-enabled meat ordering and other new agrifood business models. Farmers’ rights tensions (India): Punjab farmers broke police barricades during a protest outside the SSP office over alleged suppression of democratic rights. Climate-smart farming reality (Japan): Heat is forcing Japanese farmers to shift work to night hours, including greenhouse harvesting and barn lighting.

Water Security & Drought: A rainless UK summer has pushed drought across much of England, with growers warning that uncertainty over future supplies is already slowing investment; the government’s water plan includes reservoirs, transfers and desalination, and the debate is now moving to the House of Lords. Climate Justice: Nepal’s flash floods are framed as a climate justice crisis—devastating impacts in the Himalayas hit communities with the least responsibility and the fewest resources to recover. Fuel Costs & Farm Stress: Diesel has hit a new US record tied to Iran-war disruption, raising harvest costs and intensifying anger among farmers; similar pressure is driving Bolivia coca growers to protest higher diesel prices. Regenerative & Resilient Farming: Kirkview Farms is shifting toward regenerative organic practices to cut input dependence and build resilience, while Glenwherry Hill Farm highlights GPS-guided virtual fencing to protect habitats and reduce winter feed and slurry needs. Finance for Adaptation: IFAD and Equity Group launched a $200m climate adaptation finance mechanism for East Africa, targeting irrigation, renewable energy and resilient agro-processing for hundreds of thousands of smallholders. Biosecurity & Livestock Health: Abu Dhabi ADAFSA and Abu Dhabi Nature Academy launched a poultry biosecurity training program to strengthen disease prevention and surveillance capacity. Emerging Farmers & Skills: Wales’ Farmstart opens for applications, and South Africa’s Nampo Cape emerging farmers’ programme offers practical sessions on funding and support. Ag Tech for Value: Uganda’s SANDI AI won a $50,000 agripreneur prize to expand AI-driven agricultural finance access for smallholders. Water Reuse Solutions: Farmers in South Africa’s water crisis push for on-farm, decentralized water reuse systems to keep production going as shortages intensify.