AGP Executive Report

Food Security & Infrastructure: A P61-million Regional Food Terminal broke ground in Catigbian, Bohol, aiming to cut middlemen by linking small farmers and fisherfolk to processors and institutional buyers, with cold storage and refrigerated transport to improve fresh produce access. Agrifood Trade & Exports: APEDA backed the first commercial sea shipment of GI-tagged Mithila Makhana from Bihar to Australia, boosting farmer returns via a direct export supply chain. Climate Pressure on Crops: UK farmers report drought and heat cutting yields sharply, with some cereal harvests running weeks early and losses reaching 25–30% in parts of Suffolk. Heat Damage in Europe: French farmers warn extreme heat, wildfires and drought could require billions of euros in aid as insurance falls short. Policy & Market Access: Malaysia’s MAHA 2026 will spotlight “Value Creation for Food Security,” while shrimp import talks with Thailand are expected to conclude by mid-August after temporary suspensions. Aquaculture & Water Management: Bangladesh plans new fish sanctuaries in haor and wetland areas, replacing leasing with a system focused on protected breeding grounds. Farm Economics & Youth: Perak, Malaysia, highlights an aging farm population and calls for real business pathways—land, financing, tech support, and fair markets—to draw young people in. Regional Ag Development: Zanzibar pledges irrigation and technology investments to move farmers from subsistence toward commercial agriculture.

Farm Bill Stalls in the U.S.: The Senate Agriculture Committee failed to advance the Farm Bill after a dispute over how states share costs tied to SNAP error rates, leaving key farm and nutrition provisions in limbo. Climate Pressure on Food Prices (UK): Extreme heat is expected to cut UK cereal and oilseed yields, with warnings of a “worst harvest on record” and higher costs for consumers. Flood Damage to Crops (J&K, India): Flash floods in Rajouri and Ramnagar swept away paddy, maize and farmland, with farmers reporting heavy losses and alleging government neglect. Export Boost for Farmers (Bihar, India): GI-tagged Mithila makhana was shipped by sea to Australia for the first time, delivering nearly 18% higher returns to Darbhanga growers. Water + Food Security Push (Kenya): Humanitarian groups urged a shift from emergency food aid to long-term climate-smart investments as food insecurity rises. Edible Oil Expansion (India): NMEO-OP 2.0 is moving from funding expansion to implementation that boosts productive oil palm yields and farmer income. Ag Innovation: Researchers engineered tobacco and lettuce to produce myoglobin, aiming to improve plant-based meat alternatives’ taste. Rural Livelihoods (Nigeria): Cattle rearers in Yobe convened a peace deal ahead of harvest to reduce clashes over land and water.

Farm Bill Stalls in U.S. Senate: The Senate Agriculture Committee failed to advance Farm Bill 2.0 after a SNAP cost-sharing deadlock, pushing action to after the August recess; negotiators still hope to revive talks, with E15 year-round sales and other farm priorities on the table. Global Food Prices: The FAO Food Price Index rose in July as cereals, vegetable oils, and sugar got costlier amid weather, energy, and geopolitical pressure. Ukraine Finance for Farmers: Ukraine’s central bank eased rules on short-term debt restructurings and loosened agricultural collateral requirements to expand agribusiness access to working capital. EU Aid Push for Bulgaria: Bulgaria’s agriculture ministry asked the European Commission for exceptional financial support for cow’s milk and fattened pig producers facing prices below production costs. Alternative Protein Tech: Alberta’s FairGene began producing black soldier fly egg supply for global feed and fertilizer markets. Drought Relief in Hungary: Hungary unveiled a HUF106bn agricultural rescue package for drought-hit farmers, including advance payments and EU crisis-fund support. On-the-Ground Farming Pressure: Lakehead University showcased new crops and sustainable practices at its research station tour, while farmers in North Wales clashed with an off-road rider over livestock disturbance. Next-Gen Farmer Support: Whole Foods and the National Young Farmers Coalition launched a fund backing beginning farmers under 40 using climate-smart practices.

Farm Bill Gridlock (US): The Senate Agriculture Committee failed to advance the 2026 farm bill after a SNAP cost-sharing fight, with Democrats blocking a version tied to states’ error-rate thresholds; farm groups are disappointed as the delay drags on. Fuel & Farm Costs (US): Iowa’s average gas price rose slightly while diesel topped $5 a gallon, underscoring ongoing input pressure for producers. Irrigation Crisis (Japan): Earthquake damage to irrigation canals in Kumamoto threatens tomato growers as repairs proceed and water delivery remains limited. Water Storage Push (UK): Drought-hit farmers are calling for faster planning and licensing rules to build on-farm reservoirs, arguing current systems make storage too slow and costly. Sugar Sector Politics (Kenya): Parliament speaker Wetang’ula backed sugarcane farmers resisting amendments that could weaken grower representation amid concerns over imports. Food Security (Japan): Japan’s food self-sufficiency ratio fell to 37%, below the 2030 goal, highlighting vulnerability to supply shocks. Animal Health (Australia): The Royal Adelaide Show canceled bird and poultry exhibits due to rising H5 bird flu cases. Crop Watch (Canada): Saskatchewan’s southeast crop report shows hot, dry conditions advancing development but leaving topsoil moisture short and more rain needed. Market Access (India): APEDA helped Indian organic and processed food exporters connect with international buyers at BIOFACH INDIA, aiming to expand global organic trade. Policy & Climate (Australia): Australia’s Safeguard Mechanism review will scrutinize whether emissions caps for major polluters align with 2030 and 2035 targets.

Disaster & Inputs: Bangladesh approved importing 35,000 tonnes of Russian MOP potash to steady fertilizer supply, while the Philippines reported P11M in agriculture damage from monsoon rains and cyclones Luis and Maymay. Food Security & Data: FAO says stronger farm statistics across 47 African countries is helping governments plan better for food security and sustainable agrifood systems. Trade Disruptions: The U.S. temporarily suspended avocado inspections from Mexico’s Michoacán after a security alert, threatening a major share of U.S. avocado supply. Farm Policy & Support: USDA expanded drought disaster-area designations in Virginia to unlock relief for more counties. Climate & Risk: England and Wales face severe drought and wildfire strain after record-low July rainfall, with millions under hosepipe bans. Local Economy & Jobs: San Joaquin County’s agriculture generated nearly $7.5B and ~36,000 jobs in 2024, according to a new economic impact report. Innovation in Production: AI is moving into mushrooms, with Mycro Harvest scaling gourmet production using AI-driven growing in shipping containers.

Ag Tech & Inputs: Guthrie launched NEXA NURSERY, a semi-automated oil palm seedling hub using GenomeSelect to boost productivity, quality and traceability, with capacity over 5 million seedlings a year. Climate & Water Stress: Tamil Nadu’s Vellaripatti irrigation tank in Madurai has dried up completely, threatening farming and fishing livelihoods amid severe drought-like conditions. Policy & Budgets: Tamil Nadu’s agriculture budget for 2026-27 is set to be tabled, with promises including water storage and irrigation support, soil fertility funding, and free electricity for farmers; opposition lawmakers staged protests ahead of the vote. Food & Trade: India-UK CETA is expected to expand market access for Indian agri-food and processed products via tariff relief, pushing more export-oriented, traceable supply chains. Conservation: Dr. James “Greg” Kuhns won Kentucky’s 2026 Leopold Conservation Award for soil, water and wildlife stewardship on working land. Aquaculture Conflict: Scotland anglers and groups are urging rejection of a fish farm plan to more than double phosphorus discharge into Loch Tay, warning of harmful algal blooms and salmon impacts. Global Ag Tech: China launched two AI-powered remote-sensing satellites to support agriculture monitoring and disaster risk tracking for Uzbekistan and Indonesia.

US Animal Health: USDA’s new New World screwworm detector dog, “Vinta,” is being trained to sniff live larvae at Texas sale barns, adding a faster early-warning layer to the U.S. response. Drought & Food Supply: Serbia warns Danube drought is disrupting fuel imports and raising costs, while relying on refinery output and reserves to keep supplies stable for agriculture and transport. Farm Bill Politics: U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee work on the Farm Bill is set to start, with lawmakers pushing for year-round E15 and Prop 12 language—an issue that could shape the final deal. Invasive Pest Threat: Georgia reports trapping 866 invasive yellow-legged hornets and destroying 44 nests so far in its campaign to protect crops and pollinators. Climate Shock to Crops: A new analysis says Italy’s fourth heatwave has triggered emergency measures, with major cities under red alerts and wildfire risk rising. Local Food Systems: Delaware launches an expanded “Farm to Processing” program to boost processing, freezing capacity, and workforce training for incarcerated residents and school nutrition. Research for Smarter Farming: University of Michigan research highlights how high-resolution satellites can help target conservation and improve agricultural decisions with less environmental harm. Policy for Priority Crops: A Philippine bill would declare ube (purple yam) a national priority crop and set up a council to support seeds, processing, marketing, and exports.

Ag Economy Pressure: Farm groups warn losses are deepening and urge Congress to act to stabilize the ag economy as crop margins stay squeezed. Moisture Watch (US Midwest): Iowa reports western crops could use extra moisture after a hot, relatively dry July, with corn and soy progress tracking near or slightly behind last year. Policy for Farmers (India): India’s RBI flags El Niño and monsoon uncertainty as a key risk to food prices and growth, keeping policy cautious. Input Fraud Fight (Tanzania): A new mobile seed verification campaign targets counterfeit seeds, letting farmers authenticate packs before planting. Aquaculture Support (India): Andhra Pradesh extends power subsidies to aqua farmers in non-aqua zones and pushes outreach on alternative cropping as rainfall deficits loom. Land Use & Food Security (UK): Debate heats up over giant solar farms on former grazing marsh, with critics warning about prime farmland tradeoffs. Rural Livelihoods & Conservation (Kenya): The Kaptagat forest fence controversy is framed as a threat to long-running conservation gains and community livelihoods. Animal Health & Safety (South Africa): South Africa faces scrutiny over undelivered mobile vet clinics paid years ago—raising accountability concerns. Agri-education Spotlight (US): A Washington agriculture teacher earns National FFA Teacher Ambassador recognition, boosting support for chapters and teachers.

Rice Policy Shift: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture says there will be no rice import ban, citing El Niño-driven dry months and the need for buffer stocks; it also plans to expand NFA purchases of palay up to 500,000 MT and keep warehouses cleared by September. Farmer Economics: U.S. farmer sentiment rose in July, but 46% still flag input prices as the top worry, even as corn and soybean prices rallied mid-month. Biofuels & Feedstocks: ADM lifted its 2026 profit outlook again, pointing to strong biofuels demand and plans to expand North America crush capacity at multiple U.S. sites. Agtech Ecosystem: A new UNL study finds agtech investment depends less on farm output alone and more on commercialization and startup infrastructure, with Nebraska showing a “translation gap.” Water & Irrigation: Kenya launched public participation for a Lake Baringo diversion plan targeting 100,000 jobs and 100,000 irrigated acres, while Washington’s irrigators push state action over groundwater permitting delays. Livestock & Markets: CME dairy prices were mixed—nonfat dry milk jumped while cheese and butter held steady. Invasive Pest Watch: A U.S. Senate push targets spotted lanternflies with new research and extension funding.

Mechanisation Boost for Sugarcane Farmers (Philippines): The SRA handed over a cane grabber and tractor to Mindanao Sustainable Sugarcane Agricultural Development (MINFED) in Bukidnon, aiming to cut costs and speed harvest logistics for thousands of growers. Farm Displacement Row (Philippines): In New Clark City, Tarlac, Sen. Imee Marcos pushed for a Senate probe over Pax Silica’s impact on farmers and Aeta communities; the Palace and BCDA say consultations and “buildable zones” limit displacement. Animal Welfare & Rural Security (Northern Ireland): PSNI is “making enquiries” after claims officials failed to respond during a mass shooting of cattle near Fivemiletown; a Stormont agriculture committee meeting is set to review the killing of 51 cows. Natural Farming Push (India): Telangana’s NIPHM and SERP are expanding natural farming via Bio-Input Resource Centres, training women entrepreneurs to produce and distribute eco-friendly inputs. Labour Rights (Australia): A case alleges underpayment of fruit pickers on working holiday visas at a NSW farm, including wage shortfalls and unlawful deductions. Irrigation Tech & Water Discipline (Australia): Farmers are adopting automated gate systems to reduce night-time water management, while an irrigation season start date and entitlement reminders underline strict water-use rules. Agsafe Standards (Australia): Agsafe launched updated industry standards for AgVet chemical supply-chain safety and compliance. Climate Pressure on Food (Europe/US): Extreme heat and drought are battering crops and water systems, with olive oil and other produce costs expected to rise again. Policy & Trade Tensions (India): Farmers oppose a proposed US trade agreement, warning it could undercut prices and MSP protections. Crop Insurance Deadline (India): Odisha extended PMFBY Kharif 2026 enrolment to Aug 15 to help farmers insure against El Niño-linked risks. US Farm Bill Momentum: Senate Agriculture Committee chair Boozman released revised “Farm Bill 2.0” text ahead of markup, including changes tied to E15 sales and SNAP administration timelines.

Fisheries Enforcement: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture will ask the Supreme Court to reconsider a ruling that struck down a rule requiring commercial fishing vessels to use vessel monitoring systems and submit electronic catch reports, as BFAR prepares a motion for reconsideration. Food Safety & Trade Controls: In Subic Bay, the Bureau of Customs pulled four more overstaying containers of agricultural and processed goods for condemnation and disposal after foul odors and pollution concerns; in Abu Dhabi, the food regulator administratively shut down a restaurant for repeated food-safety violations. Livestock Health: Oregon confirmed a case of classical scrapie in a sheep, triggering tissue-matching and parentage testing to trace the flock of origin. Policy & Farm Economics (US): The Senate Agriculture Committee’s 2026 farm bill draft is gaining support from soybean and corn groups, while USDA Rural Development opened applications for the FIELDS fertilizer investment program (up to $500m). Weather & Harvest Outlook: FAO expects Jordan’s 2026 cereal harvest to rise to about 150,000 tonnes on favorable rainfall, though imports will remain heavy. Regional Cooperation: SAARC urged stronger regional action to cut fruit post-harvest losses, while Tanzania’s vice-president pushed farmers and fishers to join agricultural marketing cooperatives. Market & Inputs: Brazil tariff disputes continue to shape U.S. farm trade expectations. Innovation: Osaka University research aims to produce sugar from CO2 in the air to support livestock feed via microorganisms.

Climate & Water Stress: Monsoon rains are lifting Karnataka’s reservoir levels, with Krishnaraja Sagar crossing 100 feet and storage rising fast—good news for irrigation and power, but officials warn heavy rain can still trigger floods and landslides. Heat Impacts on Crops & Livestock: Heatwaves are damaging fruit quality in the UK (sunburn risk for apples) and forcing cattle farmers to burn through winter feed as grass fails to regrow. Animal Health Watch: Australia confirmed the first H5 bird flu mass mortality in wildlife, warning of major losses during migratory bird season; Wales is also seeing bluetongue spread faster in hot weather. Ag Finance & Policy: Nigeria’s development finance gap is worsening as monetary tightening bites, with calls to recapitalize the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture to support agriculture and agribusiness. Ag Innovation & Energy: Penn State researchers are assessing a biomass-to-gasoline plan using wood residues, while India’s modular plug-flow biogas push targets faster, lower-water CBG production from farm and municipal waste. Rural Development: Botswana is moving from hemp trials to commercial production hubs, and Nepal’s seed center certified 331 metric tonnes of seeds—boosting supply for key crops. Food & Markets: Latvia’s watermelon sales are starting later than usual, and New Mexico’s Hatch chile season is driving local production and retail demand.

Pest Alert (Sugarcane): Mindanao sugarcane planters are racing to contain the Red Stem Scale Insect, now confirmed across four provinces and already affecting 1,306.31 hectares, with yields feared to drop by up to 50% without action. Food Security Policy (Philippines): A new PIDS paper says the Philippines still struggles with malnutrition and weak farm productivity, pointing to inefficient spending and heavy concentration of agriculture funds on rice, with poor budget execution limiting impact. Rice Tech Trials (Philippines): Eastern Samar launched Rice Derby 2026, testing modern rice technologies on 150 hectares with 200+ farmers to cut costs and boost yields ahead of an October harvest. Biodiversity Benefit-Sharing (India): India’s National Biodiversity Authority released ₹8.22 crore under access-and-benefit sharing for rice research, including major support for the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research. Market Stabilization (Bangladesh): Bangladesh’s agriculture and commerce ministers approved green chilli imports and reduced duties, expecting prices to ease within 2–5 days. Agri Supply Chain (India/J&K): India will roll out the long-pending Ujh Multipurpose Project in phases, starting construction while land acquisition continues, targeting irrigation for nearly 90,000 hectares. Climate & Disasters (Karnataka): Torrential monsoon rains in Dakshina Kannada triggered landslides, flooded fields, and river levels near danger marks, disrupting key routes. Farm Finance Gap (Nigeria): CPPE urged Nigeria to overhaul development finance, warning agriculture and other productive sectors face a funding deficit above ₦50 trillion. Food Safety (US): Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods recalled nearly 23,000 pounds of baked spaghetti and chicken cobbler due to possible metal slivers; no injuries reported.

Water & Climate Stress: Hungary warned of a long-term water shortage as drought cuts Danube and Tisza inflows, with officials saying up to one million people could face “desert-like” conditions; the country also shut its Paks nuclear plant due to low river levels. Wildfire & Farm Risk: Washington declared a statewide burn ban and emergency as extreme fire danger spread, while Wales saw major wildfires scorch grazing land and livestock, pushing farmers toward depleted winter feed. Floods & Food Security: Odisha intensified flood rescue after aerial surveys, with the Centre approving Rs 500 crore for the state and reports of farmland inundation and crop losses; Congress also alleged negligence in the Anandapur embankment breach. Agriculture Support & Innovation: Philippines launched “Rice Derby 2026” tech trials in Eastern Samar, and cloud-seeding helped lift Magat Dam levels for farmers; India raised cotton seed MSP by ~7% for 2026-27 and backed productivity efforts. Rural Livelihoods: Odisha approved MMJJM 2.0, a Rs 2,995 crore tribal livelihood push spanning agriculture, horticulture, livestock and fisheries. Aquaculture Recovery: The Philippines said it will distribute fingerlings and add solar aerators after fishkills, citing stable local bangus and tilapia supplies.

Cotton Supply Crunch (Bangladesh): Experts at a Dhaka dialogue say Bangladesh imports about 97% of the cotton used by its textile industry, costing over $3B a year, and are pushing for policy, research, financing, and extension support to expand climate-adaptive domestic cotton. Data Centers vs Farming & Water (Texas): Texas residents opposing new data centers frame the fight in religious terms while also citing heavy water and power demands—an issue that can spill into nearby land and agriculture planning. Farm Bill 2.0 (US): Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman released revised “Farm Bill 2.0” text ahead of an Aug. 6 markup, including year-round E15 sales and changes tied to SNAP error-rate reduction. Income Support for Farmers (India): India’s Cabinet approved PM-KISAN continuation through 2030–31 with INR 3.15 lakh crore, keeping the INR 6,000 annual direct payment structure for small and marginal farmers. Climate-Driven Crop Risk (Europe): A heatwave story from France highlights how extreme temperatures are already forcing major grain production forecasts downward, raising food-price pressure concerns. Poultry Overhaul (Tanzania): Tanzania launched a 10-year poultry strategy aimed at modernizing the sector and boosting productivity, jobs, and food security. Drones in Agriculture (China/Tanzania): China’s drone crop-dusting is cutting spray costs and lifting yields, while Tanzania is showcasing locally built agricultural drones designed for faster, more precise pesticide application. Cauvery Water Tension (India): Tamil Nadu’s DMK urged India’s Supreme Court to order Karnataka to release Cauvery water and clear a backlog to protect water-starved agricultural lands. Food Security Infrastructure (St. Kitts): St. Kitts’ Greenhouse Village initiative is nearing completion, targeting reduced food imports through climate-resilient greenhouse production. US Animal Health Alert (Texas/New Mexico): USDA confirmed New World screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico, triggering movement controls and surveillance near the US–Mexico border.

Bird Flu Watch: Australia’s H5N1 detections jumped to 53 after a silver gull tested positive in South Australia, with officials warning seabird die-offs and wider spread could follow. Crop Risk & Disease: Haryana scientists report traces of Fiji virus in paddy belts, raising fears of major yield losses if not caught early. Cocoa Shock: Ghana’s cocoa output is forecast to fall 16% in 2026-27 as El Niño-linked weather swings, disease, and environmental stress hit key regions. Aquaculture & Coastal Security: Indonesia backs solar-powered, IoT-monitored renewable energy for shrimp farming to cut costs and emissions. Fisheries Enforcement: Philippines’ Supreme Court move striking down vessel monitoring for commercial fishing could weaken anti-illegal fishing efforts in municipal waters. Policy & Support Deadlines: USDA urges U.S. specialty crop and disaster assistance applications in early August, plus ARC/PLC base-acre reviews by Aug. 31. Water & Infrastructure: Arkansas voters face a Nov. 3 ballot measure to fund irrigation and water projects via up to $500m in bonds.