AGP Executive Report

Livestock Health Alert: The U.S. confirmed a second New World screwworm case in Texas, prompting USDA/APHIS containment, sterile fly releases, and tighter movement rules; Canada also imposed a temporary ban on Texas-origin livestock. Food Security & Jobs: Ghana launched the AgriConnect Compact, a $3.5B World Bank-backed plan targeting cocoa, oil palm, rice, maize and poultry, aiming to improve productivity, value addition, markets and create 2.6M+ jobs. Agri-Value Addition: Malaysia’s agriculture ministry backed a push to turn local white rice into value-added snacks like “Jati Chom Chom,” aiming for better returns and export reach. Climate-Resilient Farming: Goa will revive nearly 18,000 hectares of Khazan land and run a 90-day tree-planting drive to support sustainable agriculture. Rural Support: USDA-funded summer meal programs expanded in Texas, while Pennsylvania’s Senior Farm Market Nutrition Program will issue produce vouchers to eligible seniors. Policy Tensions: Ghana’s Agriculture and Finance ministries continue clashing over budget release figures, raising food-system concerns.

Livestock Biosecurity: The USDA confirmed a second New World screwworm case in Texas, found in a one-month-old calf in Zavala County just 5.6 miles from the first detection, prompting sterile fly releases, a 12-mile infested zone, and tighter animal movement rules. Trade & Food Security: Global food prices stayed near a three-year high in May as grains and sugar rose while vegetable oils fell, with the FAO warning that Iran-linked input disruptions could keep pressure on 2026-27 output. US Funding Fight: New York AG Letitia James won a court order blocking the Trump administration from attaching broad, undefined political conditions to USDA funding, protecting billions for farmers and food programs. Agroecology & Land Pressure: In the Philippines, Central Luzon groups launched the “Save the Rice Granary Movement,” calling for a two-year moratorium on land conversion permits as farmland loss worsens the food crisis. Tech for Farming: UK strawberry growers began an 18-month trial using bioacoustic sensors and AI to manage pollination in real time, aiming to replace “black box” hive assumptions with data-led decisions. Education & Extension: India’s KVK Nandyal won a NAAS–Dhanuka award for agricultural extension work, highlighting farmer training and technology dissemination.

Biosecurity Alert (US livestock): USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a Texas calf, triggering quarantines and movement restrictions; Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado officials say there’s no food-safety risk but livestock monitoring is ramping up. Ag Policy Funding Clash (Ghana): Ghana’s MOFA rejected Finance Ministry claims that GH¢1.677bn was released for 2026, saying its official execution documents cap first-half spending at GH¢910m. Machinery Finance (Sri Lanka): HNB partnered with Hayleys Agriculture to expand leasing for Kubota and Agrotech tractors, harvesters and milling equipment. Horticulture Fuel Support (EU/Ireland): Ireland opened a Fuel Support Scheme for Specialist Horticulture with a once-off payment for eligible growers applying by June 24. Agri-tech for Farmers (US): Kansas State experts highlight drones for faster early-season crop scouting and stand checks. Trade & Markets (North America): Over 150 food and farm groups urged USMCA renewal to avoid trade instability. Regional Development (Armenia): Armenia opened an Agrobot Center of Excellence in agricultural engineering and robotics at its agrarian university.

New World screwworm alert (US): USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in South Texas, prompting New Mexico officials to urge vigilance and early reporting among travelers and livestock owners. Water stress (Canada): Vernon-area farmers face a mandated 70% cut in agricultural water use as drought lowers reservoirs, with strict limits on irrigation and enforcement for noncompliance. Regulation overhaul (California): California released a roadmap to cut agricultural red tape by streamlining how farmers report food-safety and water-quality data across state agencies. Climate resilience (India): FAIFA calls for “El Niño-ready” farming, warning that heat, erratic rain, soil degradation, and groundwater stress threaten food security. Ag mechanisation (Pakistan): Punjab expands tractor and high-tech machinery support, including subsidised tractors, super seeders to curb residue burning, and interest-free loans for equipment. Urban food tech (Philippines): Manila relaunched Luneta Urban Garden with greenhouse and smart-ag systems to boost city food supply. Agri finance (Ghana/Africa): Eric Opoku warns many African governments miss the 10% budget pledge for agriculture, leaving the sector underfunded. Value-chain push (Uzbekistan): ICBA and Uzbekistan’s innovation agency launch an accelerator to help farmers commercialize crop value chains in Karakalpakstan.

US Livestock Biosecurity: USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas—the first US detection in decades—triggering quarantines, movement controls, sterile fly releases, and heightened surveillance; Oregon also issued final rules tightening animal movement and requiring vet inspections and approved treatments before entry. Rural Cost Pressure: Selangor (Malaysia) approved RM25m in agriculture support under its Resilience Enhancement Package, targeting padi farmers, fishermen, livestock breeders and aquaculture operators to offset rising input and operating costs. Food Demand via Schools: Ontario’s Local Food Week spotlighted a report arguing school food programs could boost demand for local produce, potentially creating a $200m annual market for Ontario-grown food. Ghana Tomato Push: Ghana’s MOFA partnered with FarmMate to expand tomato and vegetable production for processing, aiming to cut import reliance and stabilize prices for farmers. Ag Policy Watch (EU): EU agriculture MEPs’ CAP report is set for June 12, starting a “crucial phase” of negotiations with proposed shifts on funding and conditionality. Aquaculture Capacity (Georgia): FAO assessed Georgia’s aquaculture lab capabilities against EU standards, mapping priorities to strengthen diagnostics and food safety systems.

New World screwworm in Texas: USDA confirmed a flesh-eating screwworm case in a calf in La Pryor, triggering a quarantine zone and renewed fears for US cattle supplies and beef prices. Agri inputs & innovation: Syngenta and Ascribe Bioscience signed an agreement to bring PHYTALIX, a new biofungicide, to Southeast Asian rice growers. Farmer-first policy push (India): Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged states to cut red tape and speed up Kharif 2026 scheme delivery, with “rules must serve farmers” as the theme. CAP pressure in Ireland: Teagasc and Bord Bia reported falling CAP-related income, adding strain as Ireland and the EU debate the next budget. Climate-smart crops (India): Farmers are turning back to millets like bajra, jowar and ragi as resilient options for erratic monsoons and water stress. Agrivoltaics (Vatican/Italy): Pope Leo XIV established a foundation to build an agrivoltaic solar project near Rome to power Vatican Radio and support energy self-sufficiency. Biosecurity & livestock trade (UK/Scotland): Scotland’s “four-day rule” for show movements is drawing backlash amid bluetongue risk concerns.

US Livestock Biosecurity: USDA says New World screwworm has been detected in Mexico just 25 miles from the US border, raising alarms for cattle and other warm-blooded animals and prompting intensified border surveillance. Plant Protection: Moroccan locust swarms are hitting eastern Iran, threatening grain and fruit crops and potentially worsening feed shortages for livestock. Trade Policy: Canada’s CAFTA delegation is in Washington pushing for CUSMA/USMCA renewal ahead of a July 1 review, backed by nearly 160 ag groups arguing the rules-based deal supports North American farm trade. Farm Inputs & Compliance: Minnesota reminds dicamba-tolerant soybean growers that state-specific restrictions start in June for over-the-top use, with only licensed applicators allowed. Food Prices & Competition: A US antitrust settlement bars Agri Stats from sharing sensitive data among competing meat processors, spotlighting how consolidation can lift margins and grocery costs. Ag Finance & Innovation: Ecobank launched a Nature Bond (up to $450m) to channel capital toward sustainable agriculture and ecosystem protection across Africa. Dairy Sector Support: Kentucky lawmakers approved agriculture investments and new funding for programs including farms-to-food banks and county fair grants.

Tariff Relief for Farm Equipment: Trump signed a proclamation cutting tariffs on agricultural machinery like combines and harvesters from 25% to 15% (temporary through end-2027), while expanding lower rates for some industrial equipment—aimed at boosting U.S. production and easing costs for buyers. Food Safety Alarm: Kenya warned markets about cereals with aflatoxin levels up to 500 ppb versus a 10 ppb limit, citing storage and testing costs as key drivers of contamination risk. Animal Health Watch: South Africa’s Gauteng foot-and-mouth disease response faced pushback after a motion failed, with farmers still waiting for clearer vaccine and distribution plans. Pest Biosecurity in Action: California’s Glenn County urged residents after glassy-winged sharpshooter was found on grapevine shipments tied to Costco, stressing quarantine steps to prevent Pierce’s disease spread. Rural Livelihoods Under Strain: Sri Lanka’s farmers’ union warned IMF/World Bank-influenced policies and rising imports could push the sector toward collapse. Climate & Nature Finance: Papua New Guinea’s Highlands got a biodiversity push via the GBFF/FAO to strengthen Indigenous forest stewardship, while Australia unveiled a major tree-planting carbon restoration project in WA’s south coast. Monsoon Monitoring: India’s agriculture ministry urged timely farm advisories as El Niño risk rises and monsoon forecasts point to below-normal rains.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease Response (South Africa): South Africa says it has procured 13.5 million FMD vaccine doses since February and vaccinated just under 4.4 million animals, with 3.5 million more doses arriving last week; SAHPRA has also approved imports of 14 million more doses to support booster vaccination. Community Food & Livelihoods (South Africa): Western Cape Agriculture Minister Ivan Meyer visited Shoprite Market Day activations showcasing community food gardens, including training for organic vegetable production. Livestock Justice (India): Telangana High Court ordered a probe into allegations of custodial torture and illegal detention tied to a land dispute involving an agriculturist. Dairy Expansion (Tanzania): TADB disbursed over Sh42bn under a dairy processor-producer partnership reaching 92,831 stakeholders and supporting 23 milk collection centres. Aquaculture Growth (US): Superior Fresh plans its first commercial Atlantic salmon harvest at an Indiana facility in early July after investing in the recirculating aquaculture system. Agri Policy & Trade (Iowa, US): Iowa’s bipartisan Farm Act was signed, with new support for rural communities and animal disease preparedness, alongside “farm-to-faucet” water-quality funding. Rice Investment Push (Ghana): Vice President Opoku-Agyemang urged major investment in West Africa’s rice value chain to cut import dependence and build resilient food systems. Export Support (Nagaland, India): APEDA ran a capacity-building programme to boost export promotion of passion fruit, banana and ginger, covering processing and export documentation. Farming Tech Skills (India): A drone training initiative for farmers and youth is set to start June 8, with guidance camps scheduled at multiple colleges. Agrifood Logistics (Kyrgyzstan): A fruit storage logistics center is planned in Tyup district, targeting up to 500 tons and expected to start operations by September. Fertilizer Tariff Pressure (US): A coalition of farm groups urged the Commerce Department to end countervailing duties on Moroccan phosphate fertilizer, saying they raise costs for US farmers.

Lake Erie Water Quality: Michigan released its first annual report under the updated Domestic Action Plan, targeting a sustained 40% cut in phosphorus runoff to curb harmful algal blooms in the Western Lake Erie Basin, highlighting regenerative agriculture, performance-based conservation and expanded monitoring. Fiji Land Monitoring: Fiji trained staff across multiple ministries to use satellite data and digital mapping to track land-use and ecosystem change, aiming to strengthen climate-resilience planning. Horticulture Research Funding: Michigan’s MDARD awarded $50,000 in horticulture grants for projects tackling greenhouse runoff and nursery challenges, including woodchip bioreactors and weed control research. Agriculture Youth Policy: Canada opened applications for the fourth cohort of the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council, inviting 18–30-year-olds to shape federal agri-food priorities. Input Costs & Fertiliser Innovation: Farmers are increasingly turning to nano fertilisers like nano urea and nano DAP to cut costs and improve nutrient efficiency. Pest & Pollinator Risk: Research warns glyphosate may disrupt honeybee foraging and alter brain chemistry, while Mesa County in Colorado ramps up free Japanese beetle grub treatments amid drought-stressed plants. Weather & Markets: Grain futures slipped as US crop weather looked favorable, even as some regions weigh drought and rainfall uncertainty.

Dairy Trade Boost: U.S. dairy output rose 2.8% in April, but strong export demand kept cheese and butter inventories below the five-year average, supporting prices. Food Cost Pressure: Tomato prices jumped about 40% year-on-year as fuel/shipping costs and a 17% U.S. tariff on Mexican imports squeeze supply and raise case costs. Research Funding Fight: Canada’s NFU says planned cuts and closures of research stations and staff could set back public agricultural research for decades. Aquaculture Earnings Hit: Chile’s Multi X posted a Q1 net loss as lower prices, higher global supply, and U.S. import tariffs weighed on results. Climate Risk to Wheat: A study warns rising night temperatures and shorter winters are threatening wheat in Uttar Pradesh and other major producing states. Livestock Disease Control: South Africa vaccinated nearly 4.4 million animals against foot-and-mouth disease, with more doses arriving to expand the rollout. Policy & Markets: USMCA is highlighted as a major driver for U.S. corn demand, with renewal decisions due July 1, 2026. Soil Health Push: Bangladesh coverage spotlights “hidden” soil carbon and declining organic matter as a practical lever for resilience and productivity.

US Farm Data & Policy Moves: USDA NASS released Indiana and Illinois county yield estimates for 2025, spotlighting top soybean and corn performers as farmers plan around next-season economics. USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden also visited Indiana, underscoring the state’s role as a USDA hub as SNAP operations shift to Indianapolis. Export Boosts: Washington apples are surging in Vietnam, with Cosmic Crisp driving a jump from near-negligible volumes two decades ago to about 2,000 containers annually today. Kazakhstan reported agricultural exports up 97% year-on-year to $238.5m, with grain, beef and halal-ready supplies targeted for Iran. Tech for Smarter Farming: Turkey proposed a new UAV regulatory framework, including risk-based drone categories and a centralized tracking system; agricultural drones are carved out for approved crop-protection uses. In India, Impensus Electronics raised Rs 1.6 crore to cut post-harvest losses via controlled-environment ripening tech. Weather & Risk: Serbia issued alerts for unstable conditions with heavy downpours and thunderstorms, while farmers in India’s Warangal pushed for on-time paddy procurement ahead of the monsoon. Food & Market Signals: Steak ’n Shake switched to 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef nationwide, raising questions about price impacts as beef costs climb. Regional Ag Governance: Liberia renewed extractive transparency efforts and urged AfDB support for infrastructure tied to agricultural transformation and SAPZ linkages.

Food security alarm: FAO warns Yemen’s hunger crisis is worsening into “catastrophic pockets” of famine risk as conflict, economic collapse and supply disruptions bite. Water stress & farm risk: Pakistan’s Sindh says water shortages are at 22% provincewide, accusing IRSA of unfairly cutting its share; Arizona farmers get a new online water-use tracker using satellite data to curb crop water waste. Climate shocks hitting crops: South Africa’s table grape growers seek disaster relief after floods and cold fronts damaged vineyards, netting, trellising and irrigation. Agrifood policy & support: Philippines’ DA-Davao releases P13m in cash aid to rice and corn farmers; Tripura pushes to add flooding to PMFBY “local natural calamity” rules. Trade & payments: Russia and Mexico discuss SWIFT alternatives, with agricultural cooperation on the agenda; India-Oman CEPA starts June 1 with duty-free access that includes agricultural products. Biosecurity & pests: US officials brace for New World screwworm spread from Mexico/Central America, threatening livestock and beef supplies. Sustainable farming & skills: Namibia’s Ekoka project expands irrigation-based maize and vegetables; Liberia begins a Beijing training push to cut post-harvest losses via storage and value addition. Beekeeping boost: PNG launches a honey processing and training hub in Simbu to scale local beekeeping skills and market demand.

Israel Forest Protection: Israel designates eight new forests as natural reserves along the northern border, giving them stronger statutory protection and limiting land-use changes. Nigeria Economy & Agriculture: President Tinubu says Nigeria is recovering, with agriculture “humming” and food available as the country avoids bankruptcy. India Farm Tech & Policy: Telangana launches an AI weather-advisory system for 15 lakh farmers via the Rythu Bharosa line, while India’s states back natural farming at the National Kharif Conference and the Centre waives cotton import duties until Oct 30, 2026. Climate Risk Financing: SEADRIF and FAO launch Southeast Asia’s first anticipatory drought insurance pilot in Lao PDR, linking early warning data to pre-arranged payouts. Livestock Safety: Saint Lucia warns livestock owners to stop animals roaming public roads, citing accidents and crop/property damage. Agrifood Trade & Biosecurity: Russia clarifies it has not imposed bans on Uzbek fresh produce imports, and U.S. CBP intercepts a rare leafhopper species on leafy greens shipments into Arizona. On-the-ground Farming: Texas peach growers face tough losses after freeze damage; meanwhile, Philippines researchers train farmers to plant ube outside the usual season.

Roads for Farmers in Ghana: The World Bank approved a US$500m package to upgrade and maintain at least 1,000 km of rural agricultural and market access roads, aiming to cut transport costs and post-harvest losses while supporting 550,000 people. US Specialty Crops Aid: USDA opened enrollment for the $1.6bn Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program, with online applications starting June 1 and in-person enrollment June 8 (deadline Aug. 7). Border Pest Alert (US): U.S. CBP quarantined a rare leafhopper, Polyamia arachnion, found in a commercial leafy greens shipment at Nogales, Arizona—only the second confirmed collection in 69 years. Weather Watch—India Monsoon: Kerala’s southwest monsoon timing is shifting again, now expected between June 2 and June 4, with officials saying it’s not “late” unless it misses June 8. Livestock & Farm Risk: Pennsylvania launched the PA Beef Trail with 73 stops to boost local beef tourism; Oklahoma State University urged cattle producers to complete succession plans now. Pest Threat Near US: USDA reported a New World screwworm case in northern Mexico, raising concern for cattle producers close to the U.S. border.

Sheep Price Pressure in Ireland: The Irish Cattle and Sheep Association says spring lamb prices must stay near €10/kg through September, warning that one “good month” can’t cover year-round costs as sheep numbers keep falling. Crop Frost Relief in the US: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul asked USDA for a disaster designation after April frost hit fruit operations, with losses estimated above $30m, to unlock low-interest emergency loans. Rural Roads Boost in Ghana: The World Bank approved $500m to improve 1,000 km of feeder and market-access roads, aiming to cut transport costs and post-harvest losses. Cover Crop Deadline Shift (Maryland): Maryland extended the cover crop termination deadline to June 5 due to wet field conditions. Biosecurity in the US: Costco is contacting shoppers after glassy-winged sharpshooter contamination was found on grape vine pants and citrus plants sold in Marysville, prompting local precautions. Ag Policy & Trade: India readies for Kharif with ample seed stocks amid El Nino risk; Philippines consults hog raisers after raising pork import minimum access volume. Climate Extremes: A new report highlights worsening heat across Europe and beyond, underscoring mounting pressure on farming systems.