AGP Executive Report

Climate-Smart Rice: Pakistan’s rice sector is exploring alternate wetting and drying to conserve irrigation water and reduce methane emissions, with plans to seek carbon finance. Agrifood Investment: EIB Global and FCMB announced €85 million for Nigerian agricultural value chains, with at least 70% directed to cocoa and dairy businesses. Carbon Income: The Philippines has ordered a framework allowing farmers and communities to earn tradable credits for tree planting, forest protection and clean energy. Market Access: Sri Lankan agri-food exporters received guidance on upcoming EU pesticide-residue rules and a tool to track changing requirements. Farm Technology: A precision-spraying system is promoted as a way to sharply cut herbicide use, while Agrifac is developing hybrid and electric sprayer drives to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Farm Viability: Scottish farms averaged just £500 profit from agriculture in 2024–25. NFU Scotland is urging emergency energy support and stronger food safeguards to protect domestic production. Climate Shocks: Drought and floods damaged Cambodian rice fields this year, affecting nearly 290,000 hectares during drought and 150,000 during flooding; authorities are providing emergency aid. Women and Safer Farming: FAO grants totaling $447,000 will support safer pesticide management in Bangladesh and help rural women build environmentally friendly businesses. Climate Innovation: Tanzanian researcher Upendo Ernest Lyimo won a UN award for CLIMAID, an AI platform that helps communities anticipate droughts, floods and other climate risks. Small-Farm Opportunity: In Jordan, Bilal Al-Jarrah is combining dragon fruit, seedlings, poultry, beekeeping and other ventures on a small plot to diversify income.

Soil Health: Dinagat Islands in the Philippines broke ground on a P64.5 million soil laboratory to give farmers access to soil testing and scientific advice; a separate P99.68 million boardwalk project will support ecotourism. Farm Support: Ogun State, Nigeria, is supplying inputs, equipment and digital devices to 10,000 rice and cassava farmers. The phones will provide weather updates, market prices and farming guidance. Cover Crops: Illinois farmers can apply for discounts of up to $5 per acre on 2027 crop insurance by planting cover crops this fall, with funding available for 190,000 acres. Climate Pressure: Drought devastated pumpkin production at a Suffolk farm, where just 50 pumpkins grew compared with about 10,000 in a typical year; scarce water was prioritized for sheep. Resilient Crops: A new US-backed coffee and cacao research program, led by the University of Hawaiʻi and Clemson, will work with small farmers on disease- and drought-resistant varieties, farm management and post-harvest processing.

Soil Health: Dinagat Islands has broken ground on a ₱64.5-million soil laboratory to give local farming communities access to soil testing and scientific analysis. Lower-Emission Livestock: Queen’s University Belfast and the IAEA are researching breeding and feeding approaches to improve livestock productivity while reducing methane emissions per unit of food produced. Farm Support: Pennsylvania’s first 10-year agriculture plan aims to expand market access, help new farmers take over existing farms and support major equipment purchases. Climate Advice: Nigeria’s meteorological agency and TomorrowNow are partnering to deliver clearer, timely climate guidance to farmers for better planning. Harvest Resilience: In Rwanda, experts say drying facilities, storage and training are key to preventing weather-related crop losses after harvest. Crop Quality: A wheat study found elevated carbon dioxide altered grain proteins, including reducing gluten proteins—changes that could affect baking quality and food-related disorders.

Food-System Modernization: Pakistan says it is combining research, digital tools, improved seeds and efficient irrigation to raise farm productivity and strengthen food security, while easing smallholders’ access to credit. El Niño Preparedness: Philippine agencies are promoting bamboo planting, erosion controls and water storage to protect farms from dry spells; a mobile solar irrigation system could also help growers cut fuel costs and manage scarce water. Climate-Smart Inputs: Cornell researchers say nitrogen-sensing “sentinel” plants could help farmers target fertiliser where it is needed, reducing waste and runoff. Farm Support: Ireland has issued more than €203 million in advance Eco-Scheme payments to nearly 107,000 farmers for actions benefiting climate, water quality and biodiversity. Soil Restoration: An Indiana father and daughter are using rotational grazing and cover crops to tackle erosion, improve pasture and reduce fertiliser reliance, while helping protect habitat for a rare salamander.

El Niño Readiness: Philippine agencies are promoting bamboo to retain soil moisture, erosion controls and water storage to protect farms during dry spells. A mobile solar irrigation system could also cut fuel and electricity costs, pumping up to 4.5 litres of water per second. Aquaculture Risk: A fisheries official warns extreme heat could disrupt milkfish feeding and spawning; pond operators are advised to harvest market-ready fish and cut stocking by up to half. Farm Emissions: A pilot on nine west Cork dairy farms reduced methane from slurry stores by 72%, avoiding 218 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions and pointing to potential for wider adoption. Food Security: World Food Day calls stressed that useful innovation must be affordable and accessible. Ghana’s Peasant Farmers Association urged investment in irrigation, climate information, soil health, storage and market access, particularly for women and young farmers. Export Pressure: Ukrainian farmers have harvested more than 28 million tonnes of grain and pulses, but port disruption and limited storage are leaving much of the crop unsold and squeezing cash for autumn planting.

Farm Trade: Virginia farmers and Canadian diplomats met to strengthen cross-border agricultural ties and keep future trade opportunities open. Circular Farming: A regional policy dialogue urged governments to back circular food systems with better extension services, finance and research, building on farmer-led composting and crop-livestock practices. Crop Innovation: Canada is investing up to C$571,521 in AI-assisted breeding to speed development of soybean and barley varieties suited to Eastern Canada. Women in Agriculture: Ottawa added C$628,501 for services to women-led agricultural businesses and up to C$179,795 for women farmers’ training, mentoring and business support. Farm Funding: European farm groups are warning that a proposed 22% cut to the 2028–2034 CAP budget threatens farm viability and food security. Climate Resilience: Ivory Coast researchers have identified 11 cocoa varieties showing promise under water stress, as changing rainfall threatens yields. Soil Health: Iowa is urging farmers to plant fall cover crops for water and soil benefits, with a $5-per-acre crop-insurance discount available for eligible acres.

Farm Costs: California diesel topped $8 a gallon on Oct. 1, adding to pressure on farmers and truck operators as global supply disruptions drive fuel prices higher. England Drought: Severe drought has been declared across parts of southern England after the driest April-to-September period in more than a century. Wiltshire councillors will consider a partnership and action plan to strengthen farm water storage, soil health and food security. El Niño Readiness: South Africa is preparing for a potentially strong El Niño in the 2026/27 season, with grain-producing provinces among the most exposed. Officials say stronger dam levels, soil moisture and grain stocks offer some protection. Climate-Resilient Crops: Ivory Coast researchers have developed 11 cocoa varieties that performed well in water-stress tests, aiming to protect the world’s top cocoa-producing sector from declining rainfall. Drought Protection: Zimbabwe plans a $500 million buffer of cash and grain to safeguard food supplies and support local farmers if dry conditions hit the coming season.

Harvest Pressure: Wet weather has slowed Minnesota’s fall harvest: soybeans were 68% harvested by Oct. 11, seven points behind the five-year average, while corn was eight points behind. Climate-Smart Cropping: A long-term Suffolk trial is testing clover mulch in sugar beet to retain soil moisture and release nitrogen, while tracking effects on yields and farm margins. Drought Relief: Maharashtra has declared 305 talukas drought-hit and plans ₹5,000 payments to farmers ahead of Diwali. Cutting Food Loss: Afghan farmers lose an estimated 25% of produce, with inadequate cold storage and preservation facilities contributing to spoilage. Greener Farming: England plans to increase organically farmed land to 10%; a separate new plant technology aims to help farmers reduce fertilizer waste.

Climate Readiness: Cebu’s science agency is promoting rainwater harvesting, wastewater reuse and farm-risk mapping ahead of El Niño; a new treatment plant can process 50,000 litres daily for non-drinking uses. Drought Support: Maharashtra has expanded drought relief to 305 talukas, with a ₹5,000 payment announced for affected farmers. Organic Farming: England’s new action plan aims to grow organically farmed land from about 3.4% to 10% by 2036, with transition advice and stronger routes to market. Harvest Delays: Rain has left Ogle County, Illinois, farmers up to 10 days behind; early corn yields are average or better, while soybean results are weaker than hoped. Resilient Livelihoods: FAO and Adamawa state have validated a 2026–2030 plan pairing climate-smart agriculture investments with support for displaced and vulnerable communities.

Climate-Ready Irrigation: The Philippines’ irrigation agency says 170 solar-powered systems are now operating in Calabarzon, helping farmers secure water while cutting reliance on fuel pumps ahead of a strong El Niño. Climate Finance: The Green Climate Fund approved preparation support for a proposed Fiji guarantee to widen agricultural access to climate finance and encourage investment in resilient farming. Research and Innovation: Southern Illinois University students received nearly $40,000 in USDA grants to study barley in soybean rotations and more efficient fertilizer use. Separate researchers are developing AI-equipped robots to detect soybean disease before symptoms appear. Resilient Farms: A Buckinghamshire farmer is adding trees to fields after shifting to lower-input regenerative practices, aiming to improve shelter, water management and resilience to hotter, drier summers. Farmer Support: Ireland’s planned BISS and CRISS payments have been delayed until Oct. 27, with the department warning that cash-flow pressure could follow. El Niño Risks: UNICEF warns that about 1.3 million Cambodian children face climate-related threats, including water shortages that could also squeeze farm incomes.

El Niño Preparations: The Philippines’ proposed 2027 budget adds ₱10 billion in farmer and fisherfolk assistance, ₱4.09 billion for irrigation and ₱4.96 billion for farm-to-market roads ahead of a potentially severe El Niño. Water Security: Kenya’s new solar-powered Ziwa 2 irrigation project will bring 500 acres under cultivation and serve 1,000 farmers, supporting two growing seasons a year. Reducing Food Waste: Nigerian businesses are using solar-powered dryers and cold storage to preserve produce that might otherwise rot before reaching market. Harvest Risks: A UN alert warns El Niño could cut Malawi’s cereal harvest by 30%; it urges authorities to deliver farm inputs and climate advice before planting. Farm Costs: Michigan has temporarily waived dyed-diesel rules for farm vehicles as fuel prices approach $6.50 a gallon. Fertilizer Supply: A $3.1 million investment will help a Saskatoon producer triple its specialized sulphur fertilizer capacity.

Climate Risks: New research finds extreme rainfall can damage cocoa flowers and young pods, disrupt pollination and spread disease—often posing a greater yield threat than heat or water shortages in Ghana, Indonesia and Ecuador. In the Philippines, strengthening El Niño is already shrinking vegetable harvests and may cut power from a run-of-river hydro plant as drought deepens. Crop Innovation: Researchers mapped genes linked to protein levels in maize kernels, while a new AI tool identified jute pests with 98.43% accuracy, offering a potential boost to crop protection. Agricultural Investment: The World Bank plans to mobilize up to $5.79 billion in private financing for Nigeria, including agriculture, with the broader initiative targeting 850,000 jobs. The Philippines is pitching $57.4 million in investments for coffee, seaweed, mango, jackfruit and cocoa value chains. Farm Markets: Arkansas growers face disappointing soybean yields and an estimated $343 million in added costs for major crops as fuel and fertilizer prices rise. U.S. tractor sales fell 16.4% in September year over year; combine sales dropped 10.9%. U.S. lawmakers also urged the administration to preserve biofuel requirements for 2026 and 2027, warning that delays could unsettle markets for farmers and producers.

El Niño Strains Harvests: Dry conditions in the southern Philippines are shrinking farm harvests and pushing up vegetable prices, adding pressure on livelihoods and food supply. Millet Research: A new India-based training program will help African researchers develop climate-resilient millet varieties and strengthen seed, processing and market systems. Greener Cocoa: Ghana’s COCOBOD is testing soilless growing media and alternatives to plastic bags to cut soil damage and nursery waste. Biodiversity on Farms: An Italian rice farmer has restored a third of her land to natural habitat, while growing traditional rice varieties with fewer inputs. Practical Farm Research: Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s new sustainable agriculture program will work with producers on climate stress, resistant weeds and soil health.

El Niño Readiness: In Candon, Philippines, nearly 70% of rice land is drying and 5,000 farmers are at risk; the city is preparing fuel aid as drought looms. In Eastern Visayas, solar-powered irrigation now supplies 70 hectares and 87 farmers, cutting reliance on fuel pumps. Climate-Smart Farming: South Africa faces a hot, dry summer that could hit maize yields and push up food prices. In the Eastern Cape, a long-running trial planting drought-tolerant spekboom on degraded farmland offers a possible route to soil recovery and carbon storage. Cape wine growers are also testing grape varieties that need fewer resources. Pollination Security: An Australian network has placed its first 40 managed beehives at an apple orchard, aiming to protect crop pollination as Varroa mite threatens wild bees. Soil and Policy: A new US-wide soil health tool will help farmers assess their fields against a national baseline. Canada’s proposed bill would simplify farm cash advances and speed approval of agricultural inputs. Food Sovereignty: A Canadian report says Indigenous knowledge should have an equal role in food and farming policy.

Climate-ready irrigation: Solar-powered pumps in Eastern Visayas will supply year-round water to 70 hectares farmed by 87 farmers, cutting reliance on fuel as El Niño threatens production. Drought risk: Candon, Philippines, is preparing for calamity status, with 5,000 rice farmers potentially affected and nearly 70% of rice land showing signs of drying. Farm access: Farmers in Ghana’s Ahanta West say poor roads and a lack of markets are causing delays, high transport costs and crop losses. Resilient crops: New maps could help southern African farmers identify where drought-tolerant bambara groundnut can grow, supporting more diverse, climate-resilient harvests. Farm waste: Bahrain is studying whether discarded fruit and vegetables could be turned into biogas and organic fertiliser. Sustainable production: EU pesticide approvals and renewals face major delays, including for biocontrol products; around 100 of 200 substances awaiting renewal are more than five years behind schedule.