AGP Executive Report

Agri Aware Open Farm: Ireland’s Harlin family will host the Agri Aware open farm event Aug. 29–30 at their dairy operation in Co. Meath, with tours plus milk, cheese and ice-cream tastings. Farmer Economics: U.S. farmer sentiment rebounded in the Purdue/CME Ag Economy Barometer, helped by easing input prices, but most producers still worry about long-term profitability. Kenya Asset Finance: Mogo Kenya says it has injected over Sh44bn over seven years, backing boda boda riders and boosting farm-to-market transport of agricultural produce. Agroecology in Kenya: Bungoma County launched an agroecology strategy to scale organic production, restore ecosystems and cut synthetic chemical dependence, with FAO and EU support. Irrigation Jobs Plan: Kenya’s Lake Baringo proposal is moving into public consultation, aiming to protect freshwater ecosystems while irrigating about 100,000 acres and creating up to 100,000 jobs. Repair Rules for Farmers: The U.S. FTC settlement with Deere requires equal access to diagnostic tools for farmers and independent repair shops. Climate Pressure on Livestock: Kansas dairy farmers report heat stress cutting milk output and changing milk quality as extreme heat intensifies. EU-Rwanda Climate-Smart Deal: Rwanda and the EU signed a €40m financing agreement to modernize agriculture and expand climate-resilient support for smallholders, women and youth. Water Risk in Agriculture: A study in Hawke’s Bay, NZ, estimates deer damage costs can run into tens of thousands per farm, with many landowners undercounting deer by several times.

El Niño Alert: Africa is bracing for a likely “Super El Niño” with a 90% chance of major droughts, floods, crop failures and food shocks—leaders are being urged to move from forecasts to action now. Renewables for Farming Resilience: Spain approved €612m for wind and hydropower repowering, including storage, a boost for cleaner power that can indirectly support agricultural operations. Biosecurity Hits Eggs: Australia’s H5N1 risk is pushing free-range egg producers toward barn systems as strict biosecurity limits output. Farm Mechanisation Push: Nigeria’s NADF launched training for 4,000 tractor operators and mechanics to expand mechanised farming capacity. Water, Food, and Climate Stress: A new study warns water stress across Asia and the Pacific is undermining sustainable farming and nutrition. Plastic Pollution in Fields: UK plastic waste shipments are linked to microplastic contamination in Turkey’s irrigated farmland waterways, raising fresh concerns about “waste colonialism.” Mechanisation in Sugar: The Philippines’ SRA handed over cane grabber equipment and a tractor to boost sugarcane productivity in Bukidnon. Policy for Farmer Protection: Telangana is tightening paddy procurement and milling controls to protect public stocks and farmers’ interests. Sustainable Agrifood Finance: A Denmark-backed loan to Africa’s ETG ties cheaper financing to women smallholder support and deforestation-free supply chains. Disaster Preparedness: A US workshop invites farmers to plan for future emergencies after recent hurricanes and extreme weather.

Disaster Relief & Crops: Tropical Storm Arthur flooded central Louisiana, driving an estimated $112M in agriculture losses—about 190,719 acres of crops affected, with Avoyelles Parish hit hardest. Local Food Expansion: Maine Gov. Janet Mills awarded $500,000 to 10 communities for shared-use greenhouses to grow fresh food longer and teach ag skills. Farm Policy & Young Farmers: A revised U.S. Farm Bill proposal is moving through the Senate Agriculture Committee, but young farmers say it still misses key land access and nutrition support. Biofuels & Farm Inputs: Growth Energy says EPA’s small refinery exemption decisions could weaken biofuel support unless exempted obligations are reallocated in future Renewable Volume Obligations. Tech for Farming: Planet Labs won a multi-million-dollar Scottish contract for high-cadence satellite monitoring to support agricultural reform and subsidy oversight. Markets & Resilience: Sabalu Farmers Market reopened in Garapan after storm damage, with organizers helping vendors restart with seeds and seedlings. Animal Welfare Law: Nepal released a draft Animal Service and Animal Welfare Bill, 2083 to modernize livestock rules and tighten cruelty controls. Water & Infrastructure: The U.S. Colorado River plan could force major cuts for cities and farms, adding uncertainty for irrigated agriculture. Trade & Competition: ECOWAS competition authorities warned that price-fixing and market allocation practices are raising costs across West Africa.

Biosecurity Alert: Australia confirmed H5N1 in dead and sick seabirds and warned more spread is likely, even as poultry farms keep lockdowns. Climate & Water Tech: Malaysia’s DOA rolled out a Smart Irrigation Monitoring System to help farmers plan irrigation using weather and crop water needs, aiming to cut drought losses. Agri-Climate Resilience: Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative leaders say tree planting is lifting yields and restoring watersheds, with coffee, tea, fruits and vegetables benefiting. Farm Income Protection: Ukraine is designing a grain-collateral loan program so producers can fund autumn sowing without being forced to sell grain at depressed prices. Heat Damage Mitigation: In England, apple growers are spraying kaolin “suncream” to prevent sunburn and boiling fruit during severe heatwaves. Sustainable Energy on Farms: Virginia’s new agrivoltaics law defines dual-use land for crops and solar, pushing a “both-and” approach as data centers drive power demand. Market Access Rules: A new push around the EU Deforestation Regulation is framed as a competitiveness shift for African exporters of coffee, cocoa and palm oil. Regulatory Pressure: Ireland’s agri-food regulator opened more unfair-trading investigations, targeting late payments, contract changes and other buyer behavior.

Rice Tech Rollout: Eastern Samar’s Rice Derby 2026 is putting modern rice production methods on 150 hectares with 200+ farmers, aiming to lift yields, cut costs, and help growers adapt to climate pressure. Water Security: A Pakistan editorial warns water policy can’t be treated as disaster-only; it’s now tied to climate risk, food security, and resilience as flood and hydropower costs mount. Livestock Welfare Oversight: Northern Ireland ordered an external review after 51 cattle were shot in a cull described by critics as a “wild west” operation, raising animal welfare and process questions. Aquaculture Stress: In Andhra Pradesh, aqua farmers say shrimp and fish operations are collapsing under high inputs, weak government support, and middlemen squeezing prices. Farm Support in Crisis: Ukraine’s government is preparing a financing package for agricultural producers as attacks disrupt sea exports, with banks tasked to back producers. Climate Risk for Food: Panama faces El Niño-driven drought and heat that threaten staples like rice and corn, plus water supplies and reservoir levels. Policy for Farmers: Botswana’s agriculture ministry approved a public-private action plan to move farming from subsistence to commercial production, backed by World Bank support. Carbon & Energy: China pushes carbon neutrality while keeping growth on track, stressing adaptation needs as extreme weather intensifies. Cocoa Supply Chain Ethics: Ghana’s cocoa sector faces renewed scrutiny over child labor on farms, challenging sustainability claims.

Climate Risk & Preparedness: In Jendouba, Tunisia, disaster teams are clearing waterways, pruning trees, and urging farmers near wadis ahead of autumn 2026–winter 2027 storms, after forecasts warned of sudden heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding risk. Invasive Pest Watch: France has expanded surveillance for the Japanese scarab beetle (Popillia japonica) after new detections across multiple regions, with officials warning it could hit vineyards and orchards hard. Farm Animal Welfare Debate: Scotland’s “cow and calf” dairy model is drawing attention as the Ethical Dairy keeps calves with cows at commercial scale, challenging the usual separation practice. Food Security Inputs: Nigeria’s FG and IFAD delivered fertiliser and farm inputs to 476 Taraba farmers to boost rice and cassava production for the 2026 wet season. Fuel–Farm Link: India’s E20 ethanol-blended petrol rollout is being credited by Punjab rice millers with easing burdens and supporting paddy farmers through demand for surplus grains. Drought Pressure: Hungary faces major agricultural losses as drought and extreme heat persist, with economists warning impacts will ripple into livestock and food processing. Water & Climate Resilience: A new push in Africa highlights that expanding irrigation and better water capture, storage, and distribution could sharply raise yields and protect farms from erratic rainfall. Market Standards: UK egg producers are urging rules to ensure imported eggs meet the same welfare and production standards as domestic supply, warning cheaper imports are squeezing prices. Sustainable Farming Spotlight: Wicton Farm in the UK is nominated for an environmental award for agroforestry, no-dig vegetables, rotational grazing, composting, pollinator habitat, and on-site solar. Rice Tech Trial: Eastern Samar, Philippines launched “Rice Derby 2026” on 150 hectares with 200+ farmers testing modern rice technologies to cut costs and lift yields ahead of an October harvest.

Cotton & trade shocks: Afreximbank says cotton led agricultural commodities in H1 2026, helped by textile demand recovery and Middle East energy/shipping disruptions that boost cotton versus synthetic fibers. Cocoa crisis: Ghana’s COCOBOD warns cocoa output could fall 16% in 2026/27 as El Niño-style weather, swollen shoot disease, aging trees, and illegal mining bite—raising risks for global chocolate supply. Farm policy & inputs: Nigeria’s FG and IFAD will deliver N373,000 in inputs to 476 Taraba farmers to lift rice and cassava production; Odisha also extended its farm mechanisation subsidy scheme for five more years with a ₹2,200 crore outlay. Water resilience: Egypt launched its 2026-27 water year with expanded reuse, digital water management, and drainage rehabilitation to protect supplies for agriculture. Climate-smart energy on farms: Kashmir’s SKUAST-K will run a 50-kW agrivoltaics pilot to test how solar generation and crop production can coexist. Drought pressure on livelihoods: More farmers are turning to private boreholes as mains water strains during hot, dry spells. US farm relief: USDA approved federal aid for New York fruit and specialty crop growers after spring frost damage. Sustainability in practice: A regenerative farming spotlight in the UK links soil health improvements to better human gut health.

Renewables & Land Use: India cleared its Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana to add 5,000 MW of floating solar on reservoirs, with storage requirements—an approach aimed at easing land pressure while boosting clean power. Water & Drought Resilience: Kenya’s Kirinyaga farmers are shifting to year-round production after community-managed irrigation, but they still want stronger market links to protect profits. Farm Economics & Risk: UK farmers warn extreme heat could shrink and distort winter vegetable yields, with drought already stressing water supplies. Animal Health & Biosecurity: Australia confirmed 53 bird flu cases and urged tighter farm biosecurity, even as officials say poultry farms haven’t yet been hit. Planning Battles: Scotland’s government approved a redesigned wind farm after council refusals over visual impacts, while in England a proposed housing estate on farmland sparked large protests. Sustainable Agriculture Research: A new trait-based framework argues crops should be judged by multiple ecological functions, not just yield. Food Safety: A Cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce sickened 1,947 people across nine states, with no deaths reported. Policy Support for Farmers: India extended PM-KISAN for five more years through FY31, continuing cash transfers for millions of farmers.

Climate Resilience & Water Security: Germany’s warming climate is already shifting what farmers can grow, with heat-tolerant crops like watermelons moving north even as drought raises pressure on established production. Drought Impacts: South Carolina’s Lowcountry is facing a severe, long-running drought and record heat that’s crushing yields and straining water systems. Farm Risk Planning: India’s ICAR is training farmers on El Niño preparedness, pushing soil and moisture conservation plus contingency steps like mulching and contour farming. River Protection: Ghana’s Catholic Relief Services convened a forum on sustainable sand mining along the White Volta River to protect water intake for Greater Tamale while safeguarding livelihoods. Input Support: Ghana’s Sam George distributed 3,500 bags of fertilizer to farmers under the Feed Ghana program. Policy & Regulation: California lawmakers rejected a PFAS “forever chemicals” pesticide ban, opting for a public listing approach instead. Ag Trade & Markets: The Philippines and Cambodia are moving to expand agri-fishery trade and investment, aiming for more resilient regional supply chains. Ag Tech & Data: A study argues diet optimization can deliver stronger environmental and health gains when it accounts for how different people actually respond to dietary advice.

Climate-smart farming & food security: Kitui County in Kenya is inviting partners to break low yields and chronic hunger with climate-smart, innovation-led production despite unreliable rainfall. Farmer training & innovation: Kisumu handed over the Pap Konam Agricultural Training Centre to the Kenya School of Agriculture to expand accredited training and modern farming tech for farmers and young agripreneurs. Low-carbon inputs for agriculture: Envision Energy delivered the first 1,000 tonnes of low-carbon ammonia environmental attribute certificates to PepsiCo APAC, aiming to cut fertilizer-related emissions and support Scope 3 reductions. Water quality pressure: A new Florida report says just over half of waterways fail water quality standards, with nutrient and fecal bacteria pollution driving most impairments. Wetland farming push: The UK’s Defra backed a £2.35M project to scale wetland farming supply chains using typha (bulrush) for biomaterials, linking habitat value with farm economics. Seed upgrades: Rwanda’s HoReCo is promoting improved potato varieties to expand where potatoes can grow, supporting certified seed access and national food security. Policy & climate risk: El Niño-driven heat and dryness could sharply reduce rice yields, with global production projected to fall for the first time in more than a decade.

Climate Policy & Community Input: Snohomish County is recruiting residents for six seats on its Climate Action Advisory Committee, with applications reviewed starting Sept. 1. Flood Risk for Farms: California Rep. Jimmy Panetta introduced the Farmers Lifeline Options for Overcoming Disasters Act, pushing floodplain buffer zones and voluntary easements to help ag lands recover faster. Local Food Expansion: Maine Governor Janet Mills awarded $500,000 to 10 communities for shared-use greenhouses to boost local production and agricultural education. Climate-Resilient Finance: Bangladesh’s PKSF launched the $211.7m “GREEN” project (2026-2031) with IFAD support to scale climate-resilient agriculture and green entrepreneurship. Farm Tech for Targeted Spraying: A Delungra farm is using drones to apply crop protection more precisely around sensitive crops. Sustainable Seed Transition: Vermont is rolling out community screenings for a documentary on farming beyond neonicotinoid-treated seeds ahead of its 2029 phase-out. Market Pressure on Inputs: FMC reported Q2 revenue declines as farmers shift toward generic crop chemicals and cut applications to manage tight budgets. Research for Drought & Yield: Lakehead University’s research station is hosting farmers to preview new crop varieties and improved drought and harvesting traits. Cocoa Producer Share: Ghana’s Parliament passed the Cocoa Board Bill guaranteeing farmers at least 70% of the FOB export price.

Agri-exports & branding: The Philippines’ DA and IPOPHL renewed a partnership to protect place-of-origin labels (geographical indications) for priority crops like heirloom rice, pomelo, mangoes, cacao, durian, bangus and calamansi—aiming to boost agri-fishery export value. Farm inputs & productivity: Uganda farmer Joseph Oken expanded into a diversified agroforestry system after training and mahogany seedlings support from ECOTRUST, showing how practical land-management help can lift both incomes and resilience. EU fuel relief for fishing/aquaculture: The European Commission approved a EUR 149m aid scheme to offset high fuel costs hitting commercial fishers and farmed seafood operators. Yield protection biotech: Nutrien launched Terramar in Canada, a bio-solution meant to improve nutrient uptake and help crops handle environmental stress. Food safety scare: The cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico (Taylor Farms) has spread to more states, keeping pressure on growers and processors to tighten controls. Climate-ready food systems: ESCWA backed Yemen’s push for more integrated, climate-resilient food systems through cross-sector capacity building. School meals that buy local: Cameroon and WFP launched a EUR 3.6m programme to expand home-grown school feeding, supporting smallholder farmers alongside child nutrition. Agri-tech funding: India’s SUIND raised Rs 20.5 crore to scale autonomous agriculture drones for spraying and low-GPS operations. EU CAP uncertainty: Irish and EU farm groups warned that shrinking CAP funding could undermine generational renewal and women in agriculture.

Climate shock: Kenya’s farmers face a double hit as crop failures from El Niño are followed by forecasts of even heavier rains and flooding. Urban food access: Sistrunk Seeds is expanding its Overtown urban farm into a new two-acre “People’s Garden,” adding composting, permaculture and community programming. Ag safety & water: Ohio agencies are still responding to the Huston Creek chemical spill after fertilizer leakage triggered low-oxygen conditions and a fish kill; heavy rain worsened containment. Early harvest wins: Athens, Greece’s OAKA project has produced first apples from school-planted trees, linking food education with environmental stewardship. Heat stress: South Dakota feedlots report cattle losses tied to extreme heat and humidity, with shade and sprinklers urged. Policy for farmers: Colorado’s new agriculture laws take effect Aug. 12, covering product origin protections, a diseased livestock indemnity fund, and a future loan program. Sugar market protection: Indonesia will tighten refined sugar imports and require domestic plantation development to shield farmers from price collapse. Data transparency: USDA says it’s improving farm data collection with more producer participation and clearer, more transparent research processes. Water-rights rule change: Washington Ecology will require geologist-stamped hydrogeologic analyses for some water-right changes, raising costs for farmers. Livestock & trade: Philippines renews a DA–IPOPHL push for geographical indications to boost agri-fishery export value. Drought & regulation: Oregon’s court fight over emissions limits is moving faster, with farm groups warning of higher energy and fertilizer costs.

Philippines Food Security Debate: Industry groups praised President Marcos’ Sona for rice subsidies and farm support, but warned the plan may be hard to sustain financially and said it needs deeper focus on agri development and export growth. Drought and Hunger Alerts: Uganda’s Karamoja faces a severe drought-driven hunger crisis, with emergency food distribution underway as deaths and malnutrition risks rise. Climate Risk for Farmers: Europe’s wildfire geography is shifting, with scientists warning more regions will need stronger wildfire preparedness as seasons intensify. Water Pollution vs Factory Farms: Oregon faces a lawsuit over a new water-quality permit for large animal feeding operations, with critics alleging weak monitoring and illegal discharges. Ag Tech and Data Control: Nebraska signed a law protecting farmers’ ownership of agricultural data, while smart-farm connectivity partnerships expand real-time weather and soil monitoring. Farmers vs Data Centers: Willie Nelson urged Texans to oppose proposed data centers near Abbott, warning they could threaten farmland and rural life. Agri Trade and Inputs: Laos reported $23.68m in agricultural exports through Phu Keua in June, and India’s monsoon outlook flags El Niño risks even as July rains may help crops. Nutrition Innovation: Bangladesh’s Gazipur Agricultural University patented a jackfruit seed process that boosts mineral content for use in foods, aiming to cut waste.

Ag Policy & Credit: The U.S. House and Congress are still sorting out how to distribute a potential $12B farm aid package, with disaster assistance and possible updates to the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program on the table. Biosecurity Watch: Arizona is preparing for the possible return of New World screwworm as USDA lifts a Mexican cattle import suspension starting Aug. 24 at the Douglas crossing. Farm Safety: Purdue reports Indiana had 6 agricultural confined-space incidents in 2025, including grain entrapments, urging safer procedures before entering bins. Water & Soil Protection: Virginia announced a record $304M for its soil and water conservation cost-share program (VACS), aimed at cutting nutrient and sediment runoff. Climate & Risk: Earth Overshoot Day 2026 lands July 30, underscoring how fast demand is outpacing nature’s ability to regenerate. Input Costs: A volatile fertilizer market could change how farmers buy inputs for 2027, with economists advising split purchasing to manage swings. Conservation on the Ground: Minnesota groups are recruiting volunteers to remove invasive shrubs and restore native prairie habitat. Regenerative Learning: A high school regenerative agriculture program is training students to advocate for soil and water-friendly policies. EU Trade Rules: Americas countries warn EU maximum residue limits could become a trade barrier and call for clearer, science-based approaches. Adaptation in Action: Zimbabwe’s women dairy hubs are using research-backed spineless cactus fodder to buffer herds against drought. Agriculture Education & Cooperatives: The Philippines Senate passed bills to strengthen agricultural and fisheries cooperatives and expand extension and training through a bureau.

Philippines Farm Policy: The Senate passed two agriculture bills on third reading—one to strengthen agricultural and fisheries cooperatives and create a bureau for modernization and training, and another to upgrade the Agricultural Training Institute into a Bureau of Agriculture. Land Rights Tensions: A Quezon priest is challenging President Marcos’ agrarian reform claims, pointing to farmers in Sariaya still facing risk despite land titles. Local Water Management: Michigan farmers and specialists are pushing “water districts” to collect groundwater and stream data so regulators can set irrigation permits with better local information. Market Integrity: Zimbabwe’s government warned farmers to compare private grain offers against the Grain Marketing Board price to avoid being undercut by unscrupulous buyers. Climate Pressure on Farms: Spain’s wildfires have forced mass evacuations and even suspended harvesting with agricultural machinery; Romania faces moderate-to-extreme soil drought hitting corn in key regions. Livestock Health: Bangladesh research links brucellosis to lower milk output, estimating major annual losses for commercial dairy farms. Agri-innovation: China’s Shundi Foods says it’s advancing regenerative agriculture in garlic supply chains with training and input support.