AGP Executive Report

Agricultural Trade & Policy: Global sugar subsidies are nearing $1.4B, with U.S. producers pushing for a Section 301 investigation as foreign support distorts markets. Farm Safety Net: USDA is boosting its regenerative agriculture pilot to $1B for FY2027 after strong demand, while Mississippi producers get $423M in improved ARC/PLC payments under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Local Food & Markets: Wisconsin’s DATCP is taking applications for 2027 Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grants (up to $200,000 total), and Guyana/Ghana-style “buy local” efforts keep popping up, including a new weekly direct-from-farm produce market in Sophia. Livestock & Biosecurity: Ireland warns bluetongue midges can travel up to 150km and urges vaccination; India’s Supreme Court ruled lack of transport documents alone can’t presume cattle were for slaughter. Environment & Land Use: Michigan bans bringing untreated firewood into the state from 2027; Iosco County faces wetlands restoration after a marijuana farm was found to have destroyed 15.9 acres of protected wetlands. Energy Meets Farming: An Oregon wheat family continues harvesting while wind turbines on their land generate a second income stream.

Climate Monitoring for Farmers: DOST Eastern Visayas is installing automatic weather stations under Project SARAI in Leyte to give farmers localized, near-real-time data as El Niño worsens rainfall uncertainty. Value-Add Push: Zimbabwe’s Dr. Masuka urged farmers to move beyond raw sales toward aggregation and value addition to capture more returns and drive agro-industrial growth. Diesel Relief Debate: In Indiana, lawmakers pushed to let farmers use untaxed diesel on public roads; the state lifted restrictions for farmers and timber harvesters amid record diesel costs. EU Aid Delays: Hungary’s farmers say they still haven’t received EU crisis aid for fuel and fertilizer price spikes, despite eligibility and funding availability. Food Security Policy: Malaysia urged states to gazette padi-growing areas after rice self-sufficiency fell, aiming to protect land for rice cultivation. Women in Ag: Indiana Farm Bureau awarded $1,000 grants to women-owned ag businesses for training, tech upgrades, and equipment. Market Linkages: Bihar’s APEDA-backed export of 1 MT popped makhana to Greece highlights better price potential through international supply chains. Biosecurity Workforce: Hawaii launched a Biosecurity Academy to train new inspectors to fight invasive species at airports and harbors. Youth Skills via Irrigation: Zambia’s Presidential Irrigation Initiative is giving school learners hands-on farming experience and income potential.

Drought Fallout (Maine): Farmers in the U.S. Northeast are bracing for a second straight year of severe drought, with wells drying and crop losses mounting as conditions shift toward a “new norm.” El Niño Support (Philippines): The House approved an extra P16B for the Department of Agriculture, including more fertilizer help and solar pump irrigation funding to prepare for super El Niño. Water & Climate Planning (Guyana): Guyana’s Agriculture Month push spotlights climate-smart production, drainage and irrigation investment, and tech/mechanization to strengthen food security. Aquaculture Industry (Canada): Canada’s national aquaculture group rebrands as Canadian Seafood Farmers, signaling a push for a stronger salmon-farming path in British Columbia. Food Safety (U.S.): USDA recalled imported Sempio chicken stews in eight states due to improper inspection on arrival. Fuel Relief Push (U.S.): Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner is urging temporary dyed-diesel relief during harvest to protect farm margins as diesel prices stay high. Ag Skills & Youth (India/Assam): Assam Skill University launched a 30-day digital agri-entrepreneurship certificate for trainees from farmer producer companies. Ag Education (U.S.): Wisconsin schools received grants for hands-on agriculture learning, including a calf care simulator. Export Push (Wisconsin): Applications opened for Wisconsin Export Expansion Grants to grow dairy, meat, and crop exports.

Drought & Farm Debt Crisis: Maharashtra reported two farmer suicides within 24 hours after drought and failed crops left families unable to repay loans, underscoring how quickly climate shocks can turn into financial collapse. Water & Drought Relief: In Yemen’s Mawiyah District, officials inaugurated a new water project tied to local agricultural cooperatives, while India’s Dhule district assessed stunted cotton and failed maize and pushed priorities like drinking water and fodder. Crop Procurement Scrutiny: Nashik farmers were asked to submit complaints and documents over alleged onion procurement irregularities under India’s Price Stabilisation Fund scheme. Agri-Tech for Planning: The Quezon provincial government in the Philippines used drone mapping over 2,377 hectares to improve disaster preparedness and agricultural resource management. Farm Income Diversification: Utah farmers can apply for Airbnb’s “Farm to Stay” grants (up to $10,000) to launch or expand farm stays as drought and costs squeeze operations. Trade Rules & Food Security: At the G20 trade talks in Milwaukee, India warned against “weaponisation of food,” arguing for legitimate food-security measures rather than coercive trade actions. Bees & Organic Honey: Turkey’s high-altitude beekeepers are producing organic honey with seasonal hive moves and pesticide-free forage, supported by agriculture directorates. Agriculture Policy & Prosperity: Nigeria’s Tinubu said the country is shifting from economic “reform” to “shared prosperity,” with mechanized agriculture and lower farming costs central to the next phase.

USDA Regenerative Push: USDA boosted its Regenerative Pilot Program from $700M to $1B for FY2027, aiming to spread whole-farm conservation that improves soil and cuts chemical input dependence. Conservation Funding: USDA also opened a $5M partnership funding opportunity to restore wetlands and floodplains via conservation easements, targeting better water quality and flood risk reduction. Drought Relief (US): Oklahoma approved $2M for drought-impacted producers, with applications opening Oct. 5 and potential reimbursements up to $7,500. Drought Relief (Philippines): In Caraga, the Department of Agriculture sought P6.2M for cloud seeding to help drought-hit farms as local governments declare calamity. Livestock & Land-Use Conflict (US): A Wisconsin livestock facility approval is under appeal, with nearby landowners challenging setbacks, odor scoring, and manure calculations. EU Food Safety: The EU confirmed a two-year ban on Brazilian beef after hormone-related assurances couldn’t be met. Farm Safety: A Sanilac County, Michigan hay-baling accident killed a 16-year-old when a spooked horse overturned the wagon. Ag Tech & Skills: Nevada launched a Bachelor of Animal Science degree to keep more livestock talent in-state. Food Prices (Guyana): Guyana plans nationwide farmers’ markets to cut middlemen markups driving up produce costs.

EU Animal Welfare Deadline: A new poll says four in five farmers back a cage-free ban, with most citing welfare and wellbeing gains as the EU faces a looming deadline. Post-Harvest & Tech: Nairobi’s trade fair puts climate-smart farming and digital tools front and center, spotlighting drones and tech to help farmers handle unpredictable weather. Nutrition Breeding: Tanzania released three vitamin A-rich banana varieties to tackle vitamin A deficiency and give farmers higher-nutrition planting options. Farm Economics & Costs: South Africa’s diesel refund system is being modernised, but farmers must reregister on eFiling for future claims, even if they claimed before. Conflict Impact on Food: Russia struck a Chernihiv agricultural site, destroying about 200 tonnes of stored grain. Policy & Funding: Ghana’s Bono Agriculture Directorate targets 1.2 million metric tonnes of maize for 2026, citing good rainfall and farmer performance. Community Agriculture: Liberia’s communities donated 150 acres for an education and agriculture partnership aimed at jobs and university sustainability.

Agricultural Policy & Prices: Kyrgyzstan’s agriculture ministry says high meat prices (800–1,000 soms/kg) are unjustified versus beef cost estimates, and plans to expand state meat sales points and restore livestock facilities. Livestock Health: Wisconsin confirmed epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in non-lactating dairy cattle in Waukesha County, with virus also found in local deer; officials stress reporting and fly control. Farm Bill & Food Security: Iowa harvest is running behind schedule, with USDA reporting only 5% corn and 3% soybeans harvested by late September. Agtech & Data: Wingsure launched COFFEA™, aiming to capture and verify farm-level coffee evidence for traceability and climate-risk decisions. Biofuels & Energy: India’s Bharat Ethanol Forum 2026 wrapped up, focusing on ethanol growth, energy security, and farmer incomes. Water & Irrigation: New York awarded about $25M for farm water-quality projects, while Zambia’s Mbala schools are expanding year-round crop production via the Presidential Irrigation Initiative. Education & Workforce: Kentucky State University’s Ag Roundup drew ~1,600 students to hands-on ag and STEM learning, and Missouri’s FFA Foundation granted $20,000 to expand a school farm outdoor classroom.

Ukraine Food Security: Ukraine’s agrarian minister warns Russia’s Black Sea drone and strike campaign is making the export blockade “critical,” pushing grain prices up about 25% and risking up to $60B in extra global food costs. Trade & Agriculture: The US and China released reciprocal tariff-cut lists worth about $60B, including agricultural commodities, signaling a potential lift for farm trade flows. Farmer Relief Politics: South Korea’s President Lee vows to protect agriculture, fisheries and livestock ahead of CPTPP concerns, promising consultations and a 1 trillion won state fund. Drought Pressure in India: Maharashtra faces mounting farmer anger after drought declarations, with opposition leader Rohit Pawar threatening to block the Mumbai–Nagpur expressway unless relief is announced. Agri-Tech & Energy: Vikram Solar secured a 400MW module order for decentralised solar projects tied to India’s agricultural feeder solarisation push. Food System Funding: FAO urges more funding for Sudan as El Niño threatens food security, focusing on staples, livestock health and animal feed. Biomaterials: South Korea researchers report hemp-hurd cellulose can strengthen biodegradable plastic films, boosting strength and barrier performance. Livestock Waste to Fuel: South Korea plans to turn cow manure into solid fuel, targeting 1.18M tons a year by 2030.

Trade & Market Access: The US and China agreed to cut reciprocal tariffs on $60B of goods, with an agricultural working group set under a new Board of Trade to tackle market access and regulatory barriers. Food Safety & Policy: California’s Real Food, Healthy Kids Act will phase out ultra-processed foods in public schools starting July 2029, but a Stanford study warns districts face budget, staffing, and kitchen infrastructure hurdles. EU Beef Shock: The European Commission confirmed a ban keeping Brazilian beef out of the EU for at least two years over hormone oestradiol 17ß concerns. Climate Pressure on Farms: EU agriculture ministers put summer damage to farmers at €14B–€17B, citing heat, drought, wildfire losses, and low insurance coverage. Fuel Cost Relief: Ireland’s Macra urged doubling fuel support to 40c/l and reopening eligibility for more farmers and contractors ahead of Budget 2027. Ag Tech & Efficiency: USDA research says better sprayer accuracy could cut chemical costs by 30–85% by reducing drift and waste. Agri Business Expansion: Cargill will invest $130M to expand poultry operations in Asia, adding automation and AI to boost food safety and capacity.

US–China Trade Talks: The Trump-Xi summit produced a framework to cut tariffs on about $30B of non-sensitive goods each way, with an agricultural trade working group expected to hold its first meeting before year-end; soybeans are notably excluded from China’s tariff cuts list. Food Prices & Supply: China’s beef prices hit a two-year high as cattle supply tightens after farmers cut breeding herds, with wholesalers warning prices may keep rising. Export Traceability: Vietnam is pushing durian traceability and food safety to support exports nearing $2B in 2026, aiming to meet stricter rules beyond just expanding output. Pest Watch: Spotted lanternfly has been confirmed in Michigan’s Berrien County, prompting monitoring and grower alerts in a major grape region. Drought Relief Pressure: In Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar submitted 17 demands for immediate drought relief, including loan waivers for farmers and agricultural workers. On-Farm Innovation: Kenya’s Wajir is testing new cowpea and fodder varieties under dryland resilience efforts to boost food and livestock production. Agri Business & Finance: India’s Papadmalji Agro Foods IPO opens Sept. 29 with a Rs 69–72 price band, while Balwaan Krishi raised Rs 100 crore in a Series B to expand farm mechanisation.

U.S. Biofuels Policy: The IRS and U.S. DOE issued fresh 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit guidance, updating emissions-rate tools and explicitly recognizing regenerative and manure-derived practices—commodity groups say it gives farmers more value and certainty. Food Security Pressure: New USDA data shows SNAP losses are continuing as Congress debates future cuts, with hundreds of thousands losing benefits in multiple states and advocates warning hunger will worsen. Bangladesh Energy + Ag Finance: PKSF approved Tk 500 crore for rooftop solar and Tk 5,000 crore via Bangladesh Bank loans, aiming to back technology-driven agriculture and agro-processing entrepreneurs. Climate Action in Agriculture: Namibia launched NDC 3.0, mapping mitigation and adaptation actions that include agriculture and forestry, with major funding needs flagged. Cross-Border Trade for Farmers: Iraq and Syria agreed on electronic customs-data exchange and streamlined border lanes, with a trade boost forecast of 30–50% in the first year. Rural Stress Spotlight: North Dakota coverage highlights higher suicide risk among male farmers amid drought and price pressure, pointing to support networks.

Climate Risk: Philippines’ El Niño is now hitting 14 of 18 regions, with the agriculture sector reporting about P6.87bn in damage and drought affecting more than 223,000 farmers. Biosecurity & Invasives: Guam is stepping up warnings as invasive species hitch rides through travel and cargo, threatening both agriculture and tourism. Crop Health: Corn tar spot is spreading across Virginia, with past Midwest losses reported at 25%–30% and some fields much worse. Trade & Policy: China and the US agreed to keep key trade talks moving and set up an AI incident-handling channel, while tariff reductions include non-sensitive goods such as agricultural products. Farm Finance & Inputs: Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture signed an MoU with ABC Oyeasase Yie Ltd to build a $50m fertilizer blending plant to boost organic inputs for farmers. Water Stress: Maharashtra declared drought in 265 talukas, raising fresh questions about water priorities as data-centre expansion accelerates. Regenerative & Soil: Ireland is rolling out a free soil-health and regenerative agriculture course for farmers, as extreme weather pressures grow. Pollinators: A UF study finds pollinator activity shifts later in human-modified landscapes, changing the timing of seasonal life cycles. Regulation: Malawi suspended import licences for aluminum phosphide (“chi m’bulu”) after misuse concerns, tightening access to certified grain dealers.

Fertilizer Trade: Belarus climbed to 10th globally among fertilizer exporters, shipping 2.44M tons in 2024, with Russia still leading and global exports topping 113.3M tons. El Niño & Drought Prep: Malaysia’s Fama is building buffer stocks as “Super El Niño” risk rises, while Fiji’s agriculture minister urges farmers to store water, cut use, and plan early livestock actions. Waterlogging & Drainage: Kuwait farmers report groundwater seeping onto fields in Wafra, and India’s Tekkali officials were told to clear waterlogged areas fast to prevent waterborne disease. Input Controversy: Uganda’s “free” fertilizer drive is under fire as farmers question whether they’re really paying Shs54,000 per 50kg bag and challenge allocations and supplier quality. Disease & Biosecurity: Namibia faces an FMD threat after detection in its FMD-free zone, with movement and trade restrictions already in motion. Regional Farm Pressure: India’s Maharashtra declared drought across 74% of the state, and Ukraine saw a 17.6% drop in farmland sales in August with prices barely changing. Family Farms Spotlight: US Farm Aid 2026 in Virginia Beach will livestream support for family farmers amid rising farm bankruptcies.

Animal Health & Biosecurity: The Philippines’ Bureau of Animal Industry confirmed an African swine fever case in Agutaya, Palawan, triggering quarantine checkpoints and urging pig owners to report illness and avoid selling or slaughtering suspected animals. Climate & Crop Risk: In Bicol, El Niño has driven P97.67m in farm losses across rice, corn and other crops, with drought forecasts for October. Farm Policy & Payments: Wales announced drought-hit farm support, including higher advance payments (70% to 80%) and a slurry/manure spreading extension to Nov. 15 with water-quality safeguards. Market & Livestock: Irish cattle prices strengthened as tight supplies boosted factory quotes, while beef farmers in Waterford saw higher per-kilo payments. AgTech & Inputs: Arizona’s AgTech challenged Arizona State Land Department lease cancellations, arguing it wasn’t given proper notice to cure. Food Systems & Water: ECOWAS lawmakers warned that shrinking land and water are fueling farmer-herder conflicts and regional insecurity. Global Trade: The US-China summit extended a trade truce and included limited agricultural product steps, but left major disputes unresolved. Rural Livelihoods: Nigeria’s plant breeders urged bigger funding and breeding infrastructure to tackle food security under climate pressure.

Conservation Funding: USDA will invest $5M via NRCS to help farmers and private landowners restore wetlands and floodplains through conservation easements, aiming to improve water quality and reduce flooding risk. Policy & Deadlines: England extended the slurry spreading deadline by one week to Oct. 7, while Ireland is weighing extending petrol/diesel duty relief to curb fuel protest pressure. Farm Support Rush: England’s SFI scheme saw £253m run out in hours after a short application window, with farmers now waiting for 2027. Biosecurity & Disease: Manitoba is seeing renewed HPAI detections in wild birds and poultry, and Chile’s Salmones Camanchaca is harvesting two pens after ISA was found, with monitoring continuing. Trade, Markets & Costs: Southern California truckers are hit by record diesel prices, raising transport costs for food supply chains. Beef Supply Chain Stress: Cattle groups in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas warn ICE operations are disrupting cattle processing and could push beef prices higher. Water & Weather Impacts: J&K cloudbursts and flash floods damaged thousands of homes, roads, water schemes and large areas of orchards and farmland. Local Ag Governance: Alachua County seeks applicants for rural advisory committee seats tied to agriculture and silviculture. Ag Education: North Dakota named Napoleon ag teacher Brian Schneider as Teacher of the Year, highlighting long-running agricultural education impact.

Climate Risk: A University of Chicago report warns the Philippines could see up to 6,500 extra heat-related deaths during “Super El Niño” (Sep 2026–Feb 2027), with similar risks across Southeast Asia and globally. Livestock Support: Minnesota is accepting applications for two livestock grants—up to $1.5M for investments and up to $250k for avian-influenza risk-reducing equipment (reimbursement, matching funds; due Nov 17). Disease Preparedness: Bulgaria has published a sheep and goat pox vaccination plan for public consultation until Oct 9, citing dozens of outbreaks and the need for coordinated surveillance. Food Safety: The US FSIS recalled 160,000+ pounds of raw meat sold with false USDA inspection labels. Fuel Pressure: Alabama paused enforcement on dyed diesel for 120 days to ease costs for farmers and timber operators; Kansas economists also warn diesel may stay $6–$7 through 2027. Ag Finance & Rural Income: Airbnb and American Farmland Trust launched “Farm to Stay” agritourism grants (up to $10,000), aiming to help farms add guest income. Regional Cooperation: Azerbaijan and FAO discussed expanding agricultural support mechanisms and projects under a 2026–2030 development program.