AGP Executive Report

Solar for Farms in India: Torrent Green Energy commissioned 322 MWp of feeder-level solar projects across Nashik, Maharashtra, under PM-KUSUM/MSKVY 2.0, supplying power to MSEDCL via 25-year PPAs and aiming to cut distribution losses while powering rural agriculture. Water-Smart Irrigation in Spain: Spain is investing over €22m to modernize Librilla’s irrigation, using regenerated and desalinated water plus pressurization and renewables to support citrus growers and about 2,200 residents. Olive Oil Ownership Pressure: Dcoop is urging Spain to step in during Deoleo’s sale process so the company stays Spanish and Andalusian as bidding heats up. Trade Shock for Ag: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on US goods—including dairy and farm equipment—take effect as the US-Canada standoff escalates, raising costs and uncertainty for American producers. South Africa–China Market Win: South Africa’s cherry protocol with China is signed, opening a major export channel and supporting jobs, with blueberries talks also advancing. Livestock Value-Chain Push: African ministers backed regional livestock value chains at AU-IBAR/ILRI’s Africa Food Systems Forum, focusing on investment and trade. Farm Safety & Stress: Harvest-season road safety reminders target rural drivers, while a UK farming choir’s BGT win is channeling £50,000 to mental health charities. Climate Strain on Crops: Wildfire smoke is disrupting Quincy Valley farming, affecting hay drying, apple color, and harvest schedules.

Trade & Markets: Rabobank says China’s “safeguard quota” for Australian beef hit mid-June, cutting Australian beef exports to China 71% month-on-month, while producers kept slaughter volumes steady and redirected supply to Japan, South Korea and the US. Prices & Weather: Cocoa prices rose for a sixth straight month as El Niño-linked harvest worries eased in West Africa, while wheat, corn, soybeans, rice, sugar and cotton also moved on geopolitics and drought/monsoon swings. Food Safety: The US USDA issued Class I recalls for imported Italian ready-to-eat pork guanciale due to possible Listeria contamination, with no illnesses reported so far. Regional Integration: Zimbabwe is set to assume COMESA chairmanship in October, positioning regional trade and self-sufficiency as priorities. Ag Tech & Farming Skills: Fiji Sugar Corporation is rolling out spray drones for cane management, and Nigeria’s mechanisation training is graduating new tractor operators to boost productivity. Policy & Land Use: Iraq’s Baghdad officials face calls to halt demolition of homes on agricultural land as urban expansion disputes intensify.

Water Security & Resilience: Israel’s desalination system was hit by an unprecedented microalgae bloom that temporarily shut down five of six plants, but farmers in peripheral areas kept irrigation running thanks to a network of 250 philanthropic reservoirs, including the Ktziot Water Reservoir. US Water Stress: A new USGS report shows the Ogallala Aquifer is still being drained faster than it recharges, with withdrawals far exceeding inflows from 1998-2022. Livestock Policy: Canada released initial 2026 Livestock Tax Deferral regions, letting producers defer income from forced breeding-herd sales when drought, excess moisture, or flooding create forage shortages (with a 15% herd-reduction requirement). Agribusiness & Trade: The EU is weighing the Danube corridor as an alternative route for Ukrainian agricultural exports amid Black Sea shipping disruptions from Russian attacks. Farm Risk & Oversight: South Africa’s FMD vaccine pricing allegations are under scrutiny after the agriculture minister suspended an OBP executive, as farmers face the country’s largest outbreak in history. Innovation & Skills: India’s agriculture ministry reviewed plans to upgrade 300 Krishi Vigyan Kendras by March 2027 and add incubation-cum-skill centres in every KVK by December 2028. Regional Ag Growth: Malaysia’s MAHA 2026 ended with 5M+ visitors and RM10.35B+ in MoUs, with China accounting for nearly a third and deals spanning smart farming, fertilisers, seafood and tropical fruits.

Pest Crisis: Passi City in the Philippines has declared a state of calamity after red-striped soft scale insects spread across about 3,338 hectares of sugarcane, threatening the livelihoods of more than 8,000 farmers and workers as the infestation keeps expanding. Digital Trade & Vet Services: Qatar’s Oun app is getting a major boost with 38 new e-services, including online import permits and export veterinary health certificates covering animal products, live animals, and feed-related items. Animal Health Watch: South Africa’s Nelson Mandela Bay faces fresh foot-and-mouth disease spread into Walmer Township, raising fears for the wider dairy industry if movement controls fail. Climate-Smart Finance: A carbon farming case in Australia’s southern NSW shows soil carbon projects tied to managed grazing improving pasture health and creating extra income opportunities. Food Security & Crops: Iraq’s Diyala province expects date production to hit about 150,000 tonnes in 2026, with new Barhi and Medjool plantings and more than 60,000 offshoots planted so far. Agribusiness Funding: IFAD and AgDevCo signed a $10m loan to close financing gaps for early-stage African agribusinesses, aiming to scale productivity and market access. Market Pressure: New Zealand’s seed and feed sector leaders warn arable farmers struggle to compete against cheaper palm kernel feed imports, despite local production capacity. Livestock Vet Access: Ethiopia’s West Shewa Zone reports broken veterinary service delivery, with clinics lacking basic tools and unregulated drug sellers undermining animal health outcomes.

Budget Signals for Farmers: Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim hinted the agriculture ministry’s Budget 2027 allocation could rise after strong performance, as MAHA 2026 wrapped with 5M+ visitors, RM66.88m in sales, and MoUs tied to about RM10.3b in potential investment. Trade Pressure on Honey: Canadian beekeepers warned that 50% U.S. tariffs are leaving surplus honey stuck at home, threatening long-term producer income despite a pre-deadline shipping surge. Labor Rights for Farm Workers: U.S. Rep. Adelita S. Grijalva introduced the Fairness for Farm Workers Act to expand overtime protections and narrow exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Pest Control Funding: Ohio opened grants up to $15,000 (with a 10% match) to fight spotted lanternfly and tree-of-heaven host plants. Food Safety Alarm: A new U.S. report says dangerous salmonella strains in poultry are increasing and becoming more antibiotic-resistant. Water Access Bottleneck: In Jordan’s Madaba, a paved road blocked a planned water network installation, leaving 40+ families without connections despite funding. Aquaculture Boost: Iraq’s Nineveh released 400,000 carp fingerlings into the Tigris to rebuild fish stocks and support livelihoods.

Global Food Prices: FAO says world food prices hit a new four-year high in August, with cereal, sugar and vegetable oil rising amid weather shocks and shipping disruptions. Trade & Policy Pressure: Canada’s agriculture is still stuck after the Canada-U.S. trade deal collapse, and panellists warn U.S. midterm politics won’t quickly fix tariff uncertainty. Farm Inputs & Regulation: Pakistan’s new National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) is set to modernize pesticide rules with digital, risk-based oversight to support safer trade and exports. Regional Seed Security: Zimbabwe’s COMESA chairmanship could push a coordinated seed system across Eastern and Southern Africa, aiming to close the big gap in access to quality improved seed. Conservation Agriculture: Zimbabwe’s Pfumvudza/Intwasa highlights permanent planting plots as a way to boost yields, conserve moisture and build resilient soils. Livestock & Youth: Nigeria’s livestock ministry says it’s rebranding the sector with tech and modern value chains to attract young people. Safety & Disruption: A tractor crash in Brentwood killed a woman; in Balochistan, gunmen killed three guards at an agricultural property. Security & Markets: Yemen launched school-based ag and afforestation projects, while Iraq announced wheat and dates self-sufficiency for 2026. Agritech & Market Access: Malaysia plans an agrifood “sandbox” to align rules for new business models, including AI-enabled meat ordering via WhatsApp.

Global Food Prices: The UN FAO says global food prices rose 1.9% in August to the highest level since late 2022, driven by extreme weather and war-related trade disruptions. Market Access for Exporters: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture says Saba (Cardava) bananas are set for new international markets after supply and purchase deals signed at Asia Fruit Logistica Hong Kong, including shipments to Saudi Arabia and distribution links for Hong Kong and New Zealand. Farm Risk Protection: India’s Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is highlighted as a major crop-insurance safety net, with millions of farmers insured and large claim payouts reported over the program’s decade-plus run. Biosecurity Watch: Ireland confirmed a bluetongue case in a Wexford cattle herd, underscoring the need for farmers to report unexplained deaths. Water and Resilience: England’s drought coverage is expanding, with growers urging water storage to be treated as strategic infrastructure for food security. Input Safety: Nigeria’s Kano consumer watchdog seized 419 cartons of expired agrochemicals, alleging attempts to reintroduce them into the market. Extension and Skills: Kenya is looking to revive agricultural extension by partnering with universities and drawing lessons from the US.

Water Security: Israel says its water sector is “fully stable” after a 24-hour assessment, with desalination and Sea of Galilee flows keeping supplies to residents and agriculture normal, while drinking water is deemed safe. Seed Systems: Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture has inaugurated a new National Seed Council team to boost certified seed access, cut import dependence, and raise adoption of improved varieties. Drought-Driven Prices: Jamaica’s markets warn of rising produce costs as drought reduces supply, pushing items like lettuce and sweet peppers higher. Livestock Health & Vaccines: Bangladesh launches a domestically developed Lumpy Skin Disease vaccine campaign to reduce cattle losses and lower farmer costs. Workforce & Farm Labor: U.S. House Ag leaders push the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (SAWA) to modernize H-2A, aiming to prevent farm labor gaps from turning into food insecurity. Policy Pressure on Ranchers: Nebraska’s agriculture leadership highlights concerns over beef import plans and trade uncertainty as producers seek market stability. Irrigation Build-Out: Jamaica’s Essex Valley irrigation project nears completion, with water deliveries expected for farmers by late September. Co-op Market Linkages: Vietnam targets linking at least half of agricultural cooperatives with enterprises by 2030 to strengthen supply chains and boost farm exports.

Digital AgTech Push (Malaysia): MDEC was named the National Strategic Digital Technology Validator for KPKM’s Digital AgTech Programme, aiming to scale AI and smart farming via i-AGRI, BidFresh and Agrovator@Sekolah. Food Security & Prices: FAO says world food prices hit their highest since late 2022 as heat, drought and Black Sea disruptions lift grain and sugar costs. Rural Infrastructure (Nigeria): Sokoto flagged off the N12.708bn Kware–Gidan Madi road under the World Bank-backed RAAMP to improve market access for farmers. Agriculture Finance (Rwanda): GAFSP announced a second allocation using its business investment tool, mobilizing $21m to support Rwanda smallholders through farmers’ organizations financing. Soil Health (Africa): Industry leaders at AFSF warn soil degradation is widespread and call for better fertiliser use and sustainable soil management. Trade & Tariffs (Canada/US): Manitoba Pork welcomed $100m+ tariff supports to boost hog finishing and value-added processing at home. Biosecurity & Disease: Georgia confirmed a new invasive pasture mealybug and is investigating a donkey death case amid heightened scrutiny. Agri Risk (US/Global): A study links intensive farming practices to higher chances of antibiotic-resistant pathogens spreading from soil to humans.

Phosphate & permits: Namibia’s Marine Phosphate firm faces a fresh fight as Agriculture and fisheries minister Inge Zaamwani appeals an environmental clearance, arguing there was no legal basis for the permit. Water strategy: Texas Sen. Charles Perry says “produced water” desalination and brackish groundwater are the future for agriculture, but stresses the real fix is political will and mindset. Rice market stress: Japan moves to buy back last year’s rice reserves after a surplus leaves retailers discounting and farmers warning losses could threaten future planting. Livestock & feed economics: Farm income is up in the U.S., but Farm Bureau says costs still bite; meanwhile, Tennessee updates school rules to excuse absences for farm and equestrian work. Tech for productivity: ZenaTech’s ZenaDrone IQ Octo prototype targets autonomous spraying and seeding; Texas A&M tests far-UVC light to reduce avian flu spread in poultry houses. Regional cooperation: Qatar backs GCC food-security work on strategic storage; California and Queensland sign a new ag-tech and climate-resilience partnership. Food security projects: Yemen’s Hodeida launches seed cleaning and a solar-powered land reclamation phase to expand irrigated production. Markets & trade: U.S.-China leaders are expected to announce agriculture and non-tariff barrier steps during Xi’s Washington visit; Vietnam’s tropical produce expands in Russia via METRO.

Water Stress in the Philippines: Valencia City, Bukidnon says below-normal rainfall has hit about 80% of its 300 hectares of rainfed rice, with NIA moving to scheduled water deliveries. Planting Materials Boost: Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur opened an LGU-owned banana tissue culture lab to supply disease-free Lakatan seedlings and narrow local supply gaps. Smart Irrigation in Malaysia: Kemubu’s KADA is rolling out SPARK, shifting rice water management to real-time monitoring and faster gate and flow decisions. One Health Animal Health Push: Malaysia’s DVS and PERHILITAN signed a One Health joint statement to strengthen zoonotic disease control, including HPAI and ASF. Fertiliser Demand at MAHA: NAFAS Bajakimia reported fertiliser sales topping RM160,000 in the first six days of MAHA 2026 after launching its Premium Care range. Tech-Driven Rice Farming: BERNAS showcased solar-powered, remotely controlled irrigation plus automated planting and harvesting at MAHA 2026. Africa Food Systems Funding: Rwanda’s Kigali forum set a goal to catalyse US$100B investment by 2035 to transform African agriculture and food systems. Rabies Awareness Drive (South Africa): Ahead of World Rabies Day, South Africa’s agriculture minister urged “Stronger Together” action on dog/cat vaccination and rapid response after exposure. Drought-Resilient Inputs (Zimbabwe): Farmers in drought-prone areas were urged to consider organic liquid fertilisers as Super El Niño risks loom. Poultry Investment Debate (Ghana): Ghana’s reported US$270M poultry plan raises the key question of whether farmers will gain affordable feed, chicks, and guaranteed markets. Agritech Solar for Manufacturing (India): Swaraj Tractors will buy solar power via Mahindra Susten’s 42 MWp captive plant in Punjab to cut emissions and power costs. Vertical Farming Market Watch: A new report forecasts vertical farming growth from $5.78B (2025) to $17.28B by 2035, citing policy support and falling fixture costs.

Weather & Losses: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture says monsoon and Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng pushed farm losses to P3.39B, up from P2.84B the day before, affecting rice, corn, cassava, high-value crops, fisheries, livestock and ag-fisheries infrastructure. Water-Quality Policy: Iowa’s Greater Des Moines Watershed program has enrolled over 300,000 acres of cover crops in state cost-share, with statewide enrollment topping 1 million acres; sign-ups run until Sept. 9. Beef Trade Pressure: U.S. farm groups are urging reversal of Trump’s beef import plan that would temporarily remove tariffs on 300,000 metric tons of lean beef trimmings, warning it could hit ranchers’ bottom lines. EU Import Rule: The EU’s suspension of Brazilian meat imports over antibiotic protocol failures takes effect Sept. 3, with Brazil a major supplier for both beef and chicken. Ag Tech & Data: Canada will fund the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network with $50M to boost adoption of productivity and sustainability tools. Farm Finance: A Philippine bill approved on final reading would condone unpaid interests and restructure certain agricultural loans to restore farmers’ creditworthiness. Land, Gender & Access: Nigeria’s push for women farmers centers on land-rights reform, credit products that don’t require land collateral, and better extension and rural infrastructure. Corruption Probe: Kuwait prosecutors referred 71 defendants over alleged manipulation of agricultural holdings and usufruct rights, citing bribery, document forgery and money laundering.

Fisheries Tech Push (Philippines): DA-BFAR will co-host the Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technologies Conference in Cebu (Sept. 8-10), spotlighting digital tools like I-FIT GIS/FGIS for traceability, risk assessment, and anti-IUU enforcement. Aquaculture Standards (Malaysia): Malaysia’s fisheries department launched new Good Aquaculture Practice codes for giant freshwater prawns, marine-fish ponds, and freshwater-fish cages, plus an antimicrobial resistance awareness kit. Smart Farming Funding (Malaysia): Perak is urging next year’s budget to back its Smart Agriculture Development Programme, targeting smart-farm areas, matching grants, and tech such as smart irrigation and controlled-environment farming. Climate Risk Warning (South Africa): South Africa’s agriculture department issued guidance for El Niño, warning of lower summer rainfall, heat stress, pest/disease spread, and urging climate-smart risk reduction. Beef Herd Plan (US): USDA rolled out the Ranchers First Initiative to rebuild the cattle herd, adding risk management tools, disaster recovery flexibility, and a “BRAND” endorsement for keeping heifers for breeding. Input Cost Pressure (South Africa): A sharp fuel price jump is set to hit the new planting season, with El Niño drought risk adding downside pressure. Organic Scheme Uncertainty (Ireland): Ireland’s organic farming scheme budget is fully allocated, raising concerns that new entrants may be shut out this year. Winter Wheat Update (Ireland): Ireland’s winter wheat variety list shows tight disease margins, with rust and septoria resistance driving which varieties stay recommended. Israel Water for Agriculture: Israel restored agricultural water after desalination disruptions tied to seawater turbidity, though some plants remain offline. Cattle Disease Alert (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe farmers are being urged to tackle lumpy skin disease as a vaccine push and local workshops aim to reduce herd losses.

Philippines Rice Security & Budget: The Philippines’ agriculture chief says rice supply is “quite secure” through end-2026 as harvest begins and imports continue, while the DA seeks a lower 2027 budget of P198.45B, citing normalization of farm-to-market road funding. Bioethanol Push: DA and Energy officials plan cheaper local feedstocks to raise the bioethanol blend from 10% to 15%, aiming to cut pump prices and import dependence. U.S. Beef Processing Tension: Tyson Foods disputes USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins’ claim that shuttered beef plants will be sold only to American-owned buyers, highlighting foreign-ownership and consolidation concerns. Data Modernization for Farmers: Rollins also unveiled a USDA plan to modernize agricultural data collection using satellites and AI to improve acreage and yield estimates while reducing reporting burdens. Food Security & Trade Controls: Iraq banned agricultural imports until the end of the domestic production season, and Qatar reiterated GCC efforts to strengthen food-security readiness, including strategic stockpiles. Disease & Biosecurity: Wisconsin added two more captive cervid facilities to CWD quarantine after detections, while U.S. border agents intercepted a potentially destructive straw crest moth at Detroit. Water for Irrigation: India’s Andhra Pradesh plans to release Godavari waters into the Polavaram Left Main Canal to boost irrigation across Uttarandhra. Local Policy for Poultry: Maryland eased nutrient-management permit cycles for qualifying no-land, pasture-only chicken farms, cutting administrative load. Agritech & Training: OSU tested a first-of-its-kind hemp harvest machine, and Venezuela inaugurated a youth agricultural training center focused on livestock diversification.

Beef Trade Shock (US): Trump’s tariff-free “discounted” beef imports begin, with critics warning about food-safety optics and market disruption for ranchers. Livestock Policy (US): USDA backs beef with loans for small processors and lets ranchers use conserved land for grazing after disasters. Dairy Health Watch (US): H5N1 reporting resumes after a quiet stretch, with new detections in dairy herds and commercial poultry. Cattle Supply (US): Wisconsin’s licensed dairy herd count falls below 5,000, showing how consolidation is reshaping production. El Niño Food Security (Tanzania): NFRA boosts storage and reserves as forecasts warn of flooding and disease risks. Agriculture & Water (Africa): AGRA chair Hailemariam Dessalegn urges scaling irrigation, especially renewable-powered systems, to cut poverty and improve diets. Farmers vs Weather (Canada): Alberta expands AgriStability access for producers hit by excessive moisture, while warning tariffs could add costs. Market Access (Malaysia): MAHA Trade Days draws heavy interest, with MoUs and visitor numbers signaling momentum for agri-food supply chains. Flood Risk (Philippines): DA reports major monsoon and cyclone farm losses and warns assessments are ongoing. Land Pressure (Philippines): Philippines DA is studying potential farmer impacts from the Pax Silica project in Capas, Tarlac. Inputs & Productivity (Bangladesh): BRRI distributes modern rice inputs in coastal Khulna to support yields amid salinity and waterlogging. Regional Food Systems (Global): A push grows for scaling what works beyond pilots, including social franchising to reach more smallholders.

Ukraine War Impacts Food Supply Chains: Kyiv says Russian strikes have destroyed about 90% of retailers’ food logistics, with occasional empty shelves reported after attacks on warehouse depots. U.S. Beef Policy Clash: Nebraska’s cattle producers are bracing for market disruption as USDA rolls out “Ranchers First” herd-rebuilding incentives while cattle groups urge Trump to reconsider a proposal allowing large volumes of lower-tariff imported beef. Biofuel Rules and Farmer Costs: The White House moves to reallocate additional 2025 small refinery exemptions to protect RFS biofuel markets, after biodiesel and farm groups warned of uncertainty. Grain Transport Watch: CN Rail reports strong early crop-year grain movement in Western Canada, supported by above-average carry-in stocks and export uncertainty from the Black Sea. Food Security Under El Niño: Oxfam warns El Niño is driving severe crop losses in Central America’s Dry Corridor, hitting corn and bean households and water access. Cold Storage Push (Philippines): The Philippines’ DA tenders three cold storage facilities worth P750m to cut postharvest losses and stabilize farmer incomes. Local Agriculture Education (U.S.): Idaho’s Grow Idaho brings students to farms to learn about zoning, soil, water, exports, and seed varieties. Invasive Species Control (Idaho): Idaho begins another targeted quagga mussel treatment on the Snake River near Twin Falls, with limited public access during work.