AGP Executive Report

Regenerative Farming: A Dorset farm’s pasture-raised organic eggs won top regional honours, spotlighting a system that rotates hens through orchards in mobile houses. Farm Costs and Credit: Diesel near record highs is squeezing producers who cannot easily cut fuel use or pass costs on; U.S. farm debt has topped $605 billion, and USDA officials say borrowing from suppliers and other nontraditional lenders may be undercounted. Climate Resilience: El Niño is raising the risk of winter storms and floods, adding pressure on farmers already facing tougher food-security challenges. Farm Investment: The U.S. is putting $180 million into a seed initiative aimed at protecting seed supply and supporting crop innovation. Food Security: Nigeria’s federal and state governments are developing a 10-year plan focused on practical support for farmers, including better seeds, irrigation, finance, storage and market access.

Harvest at Risk: Ethiopia’s exceptionally dry rainy season threatens the main harvest, with crop failures expected in parts of the northeast and conflict blocking aid to hungry families. Farm Finances: U.S. farmers face rising costs and falling income; diesel relief is expected to offer little help, though Arkansas producers could receive about $840 million in federal safety-net payments. Farm Support: USDA and the FTC are seeking farmers’ and repair shops’ accounts of equipment makers’ practices as they investigate competition barriers. Climate-Smart Farming: El Salvador’s AgroConecta pairs field visits and demonstrations with phone and digital support, aiming to help growers improve productivity and resilience. A new review also points to soil microbes as a potential ally in helping crops withstand drought.

Irish Farm Support: The Irish Farmers’ Association welcomed a €54m tillage package for 2027 but warned a €65m multi-year commitment is still needed, urging early payment of the €30m Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme and highlighting fuel and fertiliser pressure. UK Biosecurity: DEFRA warned travellers not to smuggle EU food in luggage after disease-related bans, with fines up to £5,000 for items like meat and dairy. Cotton Sustainability: Better Cotton’s new impact report says many growers cut synthetic nitrogen, pesticides and carbon, with mixed progress beyond smallholders. UAE Data for Food Security: Abu Dhabi’s Statistics Centre and Silal signed a service deal to strengthen data exchange and statistical capacity for agriculture planning. Farm Viability Under Fuel Costs: Farmers across regions are bracing for higher diesel bills and planning uncertainty, with research showing policy and input costs are pushing many toward leaving farming. Animal Health Cooperation: ECOWAS countries plan a meeting in Togo to strengthen surveillance and control of transboundary animal diseases. Northern Ireland Investment Scheme: DAERA will issue first letters of offer under the £15m Sustainable Farming Investment Scheme, with a 28-day acceptance window. Climate Risk for Food Systems: FAO urged urgent funding for emergency farm support across the Near East and North Africa as conflict and shocks drive crisis hunger. Sea Lice Watch: A new study finds sea lice remain prevalent in BC areas where salmon farms were removed. Pakistan Farmer Protests: A coalition of farmer groups called nationwide demonstrations over “anti-farmer” policies and demanded higher wheat and sugarcane support prices. Sri Lanka Census: Sri Lanka will run an Economic Census in 2026-27, including agriculture data, to guide future planning.

Food & Trust: Farmers and industry groups are pushing for clearer country-of-origin labeling after “misleading” supermarket packaging details were flagged, arguing it can steer shoppers away from Australian-made produce. Climate & Waste: A new UN-backed push highlights how rotting food and household waste drive methane emissions, calling for faster action to divert organics from landfills. Fuel Costs & Policy: In the U.S., Trump’s move to allow on-road use of dyed farm diesel is spreading state-by-state, while Iowa’s agriculture secretary thanks leaders for temporary diesel tax relief; economists warn relief may be limited as diesel stays near record highs. Renewables on Farmland: North Yorkshire’s proposed 95-hectare solar farm faces objections over loss of productive land and biodiversity impacts, even as councils consider approval. Water Security: California’s Vina Groundwater plan review could decide whether domestic wells face chronic decline, with critics saying minimum thresholds are too low. Ag Tech & Productivity: Michigan’s MI Digital Farm platform will map field profitability zones to guide variable-rate decisions, while Malaysia’s AcroSeeker app uses phone photos to diagnose crop problems and reduce unnecessary pesticide use. Local Food Systems: Canada’s Zest Food Hub wins a national award for expanding access to commercial kitchens and cold storage for food entrepreneurs.

Diesel Relief for Farmers: Trump signed an executive order easing limits on tax-free red-dyed diesel, aiming to cut costs for agriculture and freight ahead of midterms. UK Rural Pressure: Jeremy Clarkson told the Conservative conference farming is in a “terrible” state, blaming taxes, energy costs and instability. Planning & Clean Energy: A 400MW battery storage scheme near Astwood Bank remains undecided after plans were deferred, while Northern Ireland’s A5 upgrade cleared a climate-compatibility hurdle on appeal. Farm Waste & Accountability: An Essex farmer faces a £350,000 bill after 2,000 tonnes of fly-tipped waste destroyed 200 tonnes of maize silage. Coexistence & Stewardship: A Saskatchewan webinar spotlights collaborative bison herd stewardship across park, crown and private land—where conservation meets crop conflict. Circular Sustainability Win: Waste to Wonder Worldwide received The King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainability 2026. Food Systems & Climate: UN-backed reporting says rotting food waste drives major methane emissions, underscoring urgency for waste reduction. Policy Uncertainty: The US Farm Bill extension expired, leaving drought-hit producers without a predictable safety net.

Climate Adaptation for Farmers: The Philippines’ Romblon province is studying drought-tolerant crop distribution and seed support to help growers brace for “Super El Niño,” including mung bean and corn after rice harvests. Farm Resilience After Disaster: In Mio, Michigan, cleanup and restoration began after a fire destroyed Farmers’ Creamery, a key cooperative hub for local dairy producers. Indigenous Rights vs New Tech Infrastructure: Saskatchewan’s Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation is demanding more details and environmental review for Bell’s AI data centre on unceded Dakota territory near Regina. Soil and Seed Security: Nigeria-focused coverage highlights how the Plant Treaty’s shared seed system can strengthen climate-resilient crop breeding and research. Clean Energy for Rural Industry: Antora Energy plans a 5.8 GWh thermal battery at Pratt Energy’s Kansas ethanol biorefinery, aiming to cut costs and stabilize heat supply for production. Biosecurity in Poultry: Synexis and Customate are expanding touchless continuous pathogen control across the UK and Ireland to help hatcheries and poultry operations reduce contamination risk. Animal Health Research Investment: Penn State broke ground on a $65M expansion of its animal diagnostic lab to speed disease prevention and protect the food supply. Diesel Relief for Harvest: Indiana lawmakers welcomed a governor’s suspension of special off-road diesel restrictions to ease fuel costs during peak farming season. Water and Land Protection Politics: Florida’s coastal protection proposal would coordinate existing agencies to safeguard waterways without adding new fishing limits.

El Niño Relief Push (Philippines): Makabayan bloc lawmakers filed a House probe after El Niño-linked farm and fisheries damage hit P6.87B, urging hearings on mitigation as PAGASA warns “very strong” conditions may last into early 2027. Drought-Tolerant Crops (Philippines): Romblon is planning local technical meetings and seed support—mung bean and corn after rice harvest—to keep farmers producing through a “Super El Niño” dry spell. Climate Protest (Philippines): A Quezon-based Catholic-led march to Manila is demanding action on environmental destruction and climate impacts on farmers and fisherfolk. Water Rules Tightened (Belarus): A draft water-protection resolution targets confusing local bans on swimming, noting some districts allow only a handful of spots across dozens of water bodies. PET Recycling Drive (India): Maharashtra and Hindustan Coca-Cola expanded Thane’s Maha r-PET Abhiyaan with collection bins, electric vehicles, and recycled-PET benches. Water “Bankruptcy” Debate: A new framing warns some systems can’t bounce back like temporary crises, pushing policymakers toward deeper water-system repair. Trade Curbs (Libya): Libya banned exports of agricultural products and locally produced foods until domestic supply stabilizes. Farm Resilience Tech (India): Jammu & Kashmir’s ag-engineering leaders urged AI + human expertise for sustainable, climate-smart farming. Input Costs Hit Farms (US): Diesel prices topped $6/gallon as harvest begins, squeezing already tight producer margins. Animal Health Shock (EU-Namibia): The EU temporarily suspended fresh meat imports from Namibia after an FMD outbreak, with limited exceptions for heavily treated products. Wheat Improvement (UK-led): Niab will lead a new international wheat pre-breeding program to speed up testing of novel traits across Europe. Biosecurity Jobs (Hawaiʻi): Hawaiʻi launched a Biosecurity Academy to train future inspectors for faster screening of pests in incoming cargo and passengers. Liberia Social Protection (World Bank): The World Bank praised Liberia’s new 2026–2030 social protection strategy as more shock-responsive for vulnerable households. Liberia Organic Farming (ECOWAS-backed): A €375K project will back 600 smallholders with organic biofertilizers and biopesticides to boost soil health and nutrition. Food Security Under El Niño (Cambodia): Reporting highlights severe drought stress on rice as El Niño delays rains, with farmers warning of major losses. Drought Tax Pressure (India): Karnataka’s drought could cut GST collections, with officials seeking central relief as crop losses mount. FMD and Livelihoods (Namibia/EU): The outbreak’s trade impact is expected to hit farmers’ incomes and the wider economy. Agribusiness Value Chains (South Africa): A Northern Cape community-owned organic raisin business shows revenue growth tied to land reform and export-linked processing. Industrial Planning vs Farmland (US): Iberville Parish is considering an industrial zone expansion after Ascension’s steel-driven growth, raising pollution concerns for agricultural areas. Climate-Smart Irrigation (Global): A “smart irrigation” explainer focuses on using soil and weather signals to avoid overwatering and waste.

Wetland restoration: Work has started on a 136-hectare fen wetland restoration in Cambridgeshire, aiming to reconnect habitat, slow peat loss, and cut carbon emissions through rewetting and “wet farming” paludiculture. Climate-hit farming costs: France’s farmers report major losses after extreme heat and drought, with emergency adaptation funding still seen as falling short of what’s needed to rebuild resilience. Food security under attack: Nigeria’s agriculture minister is demanding justice after 15 farmers were killed in Borno, calling it an attack on livelihoods and national food security. Infrastructure for farms: In Gombe, new roads and bridges totaling over 86 km are being commissioned to improve access to farmlands and markets. Trade pressure on agriculture: Libya has banned exports of agricultural products (except dates) and restricted exports of locally produced food to protect domestic supply. Farm policy and risk cover: The US is reopening enrollment for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage, expanding base acres and letting producers choose coverage for 2026–2027. Biodiversity and livelihoods: São Tomé and Príncipe highlights a conservation model that ties protected nature to sustainable economic activity, including lower-impact alternatives to extractive jobs. Poultry investment: Sierra Leone’s Feed Salone push continues with new private poultry projects, including hatchery and layer facilities expected to create hundreds of jobs. Farmland rules: A South Australian farmer was fined $60,000 for clearing native vegetation without required approval, underscoring tighter enforcement of land clearing laws.

Climate & Resilience: Odisha is seeing shifting seasons and more intense disasters, with experts urging stronger local action and better preparedness after repeated cyclone impacts; former officials also call for expanding mangroves and wild grasslands to protect farms and wildlife. Water Stress & Food Security: In Fiji’s Dramasi, women are waking at 2–3am to haul water as drought dries creeks, with knock-on effects for hygiene and market gardens. Farm Economics Under Pressure: Derbyshire farmers report the “hardest summer in generations,” citing fuel and fertiliser costs and a margin squeeze that’s pushing some to stop growing. Soil-First Farming: A Philippine lawmaker argues for “test first” soil support instead of blanket fertiliser advice, warning that guesswork drains farmers’ money. Sustainable Inputs & Supply Chains: Nestlé’s MAGGI regenerative soybean work in Nigeria is credited with boosting yields and expanding climate-smart sourcing. Renewables for Rural Jobs: Reliance Industries pitches big Andhra Pradesh investments—biogas from farm residue and a horticulture hub—to add farmer income and jobs. Policy & Rights in Climate Tech: A UN-linked human rights body urges governments to assess rights impacts across the full lifecycle of climate technologies. Food Safety Watch: A study finds veterinary drug residues in Argentina’s beef feedlots, raising antimicrobial stewardship and resistance concerns.

Food security & safe production: Bangladesh’s agriculture minister urged “safe food” and technical education, warning that heavy pesticide use is linked to cancers among farmers. Soil-first farming: Philippines lawmaker Adolph Plaza says farm support should start with soil testing, not blanket fertilizer advice. Climate-smart soil & water: A Dakota County farm won a conservation award for cover crops, no-till, and precise nitrogen and irrigation. Agri-tech for resilience: Oman researchers are testing solar-powered greenhouses and hydroponics paired with water harvested from air for salt-affected lands. Farmer livelihoods via training: Belize trained 60+ coconut farmers to spot and stop pests and diseases. Market-oriented rice push: Odisha launched a healthier, farmer-centric rice push with IRRI support and plans to scale nutrient-dense varieties. Health & food safety: US FDA confirmed Cyclospora at a Taylor Farms Mexico site tied to the major US outbreak. Livestock & emissions debate: Ireland is reviewing methane measurement methods, with farm groups pushing for a “fairer” metric. Rural community action: Namibia’s environment ministry highlighted community conservancies that fund wildlife protection through tourism and jobs. Agritourism support: Airbnb is offering up to $10,000 grants to help farmers host guests and diversify income.

Climate & resilience: A Copernicus scientist warns today’s climate is moving beyond anything previous generations saw, with record heat, wildfires and low rivers reshaping farming risk. Drought pressure: In India’s Maharashtra (Latur), farmers are cutting standing sugarcane to feed cattle as fodder runs out, while winter crops face El Niño-linked sowing and yield threats from depleted soil moisture. Food system health: USDA research says farmed salmon now delivers less omega-3 than earlier assumptions, raising questions about nutrition claims as fishmeal inputs tighten. Sustainable farming research: A U.S./Canada study on regenerative practices reports similar yields and profits to conventional farming while boosting soil carbon and biodiversity. Animal welfare & policy: World Farmed Animals Day spotlights factory-farming harms, while debates over livestock and climate policy continue. Rural finance & markets: A World Bank-backed $47.6m loan program in Egypt targets agri-food and rural agri-tourism enterprises, and Nigeria pushes for modern abattoirs to cut live-animal transport losses. Food safety: The FDA closes its Cyclospora investigation, linking a major iceberg lettuce outbreak to Taylor Farms Mexico. Trade & farmer rights: Malaysia civil groups urge rejecting EU “TRIPS-plus” demands that could raise medicine costs and weaken farmers’ rights. Water cuts: Mexicali farmers face looming fallowing after major Colorado River allocation reductions, with calls for compensation.

Food Safety: The US FDA closed its cyclospora lettuce probe, citing strong links to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms’ Mexico unit. Farm Labor Costs: California signed AB 2646 raising farmworker minimum wages to $19.75, drawing sharp pushback from ag groups worried about higher food prices. Diesel Relief Push: South Carolina lawmakers urged Gov. McMaster to suspend penalties for dyed diesel during harvest as fuel hits record highs. Farmland Protection: North Carolina awarded $51.2M in farmland preservation grants across 44 counties, calling it a record single-year investment. Climate-Smart Rice: Vietnam’s Can Tho launched the GoRice project (2026–2029) to cut emissions and boost gender-just, low-carbon rice value chains. Renewables vs Rural Impacts: A Peoria County zoning hearing heard concerns that a proposed wind project’s economic analysis missed population loss, job impacts, and property value declines. Local Markets: Guyana’s Sophia Market in Greater Georgetown will open a weekly direct-from-farm produce market every Wednesday to cut middlemen and lower grocery costs. Agritech Training: Ghana’s agriculture ministry, with WFP and KOICA, handed modern training equipment to five agricultural colleges. Trade Cooperation: North American agriculture officials backed a long-term, predictable trade approach at the Tri-National Agricultural Accord.

Climate & Food Security: World food prices hit a near four-year high as heatwaves and El Niño-linked disruptions lift costs for sugar, meat, dairy and cereals, while drought and logistics strain production. Climate Adaptation for Farmers: Philippines’ DOST Eastern Visayas is installing automatic weather stations in farming areas to help growers plan around worsening El Niño impacts. Water Infrastructure: Kenya plans to rehabilitate Turkwel Dam to revive irrigation for about 1,600 farmers, starting with a baseline assessment. Agri-Tech & Inputs: Omnia opened a Stellenbosch analytical services facility to speed soil, plant and water testing for faster farm decisions. Sustainable Energy in Agriculture: IRENA/IIED’s GEAR framework is pushing a way to measure how decentralized renewables build climate resilience for smallholders, with a people-first focus. Policy & Support: EU approved €170m Bulgarian aid to offset higher fuel and fertiliser costs for farmers. Livelihoods & Gender: In Nigeria, the ALDDN dairy program says 63,000 smallholder farmers benefited over six years, with emphasis on women’s empowerment. Conflict Impact on Farming: FAO warns the latest Israel-Hezbollah fighting is damaging large areas of south Lebanon’s farmland and cutting farmers off from their land.

Climate & Water Resilience: Scotland’s climate minister warns farms must adapt as wildfires and water scarcity squeeze food producers, while Africa’s lawmakers push for polluter-pay financing to fund climate adaptation and ecosystem repair. Policy & Funding for Farmers: USDA expands its regenerative agriculture pilot to $1B for 2027 and lowers entry barriers; Missouri eases dyed-diesel and weight rules for harvest logistics; Sri Lanka faces a tough investment climate despite growth, with investors citing regulatory uncertainty. Sustainable Food Systems & Livelihoods: Ghana unveils a new engineering-and-agriculture university campus to link training with agribusiness; Nigeria’s ag stakeholders call for tighter supply-chain coordination; Cambodia backs women-led agribusiness with ADB funding. Ag Tech & Breeding: India researchers streamline rice breeding with multiplex PCR to speed climate-resilient trait detection. Energy & Land Use for Agriculture: Ireland rejects a large solar farm plan; Scotland’s leather group highlights solar power cutting emissions; Korea’s Nakwol offshore wind project nears completion. Market Signals: Milk processors set October/November farmgate prices; Ireland’s main-crop potato harvest ramps up with drought-driven yield variability.

Diesel Relief for Farmers: North Carolina, Missouri, Arkansas and Indiana moved to ease dyed/off-road diesel rules for harvest and farm logistics, aiming to cut fuel costs during peak fieldwork. Regenerative Push: USDA boosted its Regenerative Pilot Program to $1B for 2027, expanding support for soil health and conservation practices through NRCS programs. Climate-Smart Funding & Grants: New York opened a $16.8M Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program, while Ireland approved €1M for 650 farmers plus €1.5M more in emergency support tied to “coloured” diesel and fertiliser costs. Farm Safety Rules: New Zealand launched two Approved Codes of Practice for farm health and safety, with new responsibilities taking effect in 2027. Pest & Biosecurity: Texas A&M AgriLife issued updated guidance on the newly detected short-spined thrips. Sustainable Fisheries & Seeds: BFAR is studying octopus reproduction for better management, and CIMMYT sent new maize and wheat accessions to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Wildlife Pressure: Japan reported rising raccoon crop damage, with the species spreading into urban areas.

El Niño Pressure on Food Production: Philippines agencies report El Niño is intensifying, with damage already logged across rice, corn, cassava, livestock and poultry—losses hit P6.87bn and nearly 250,000 hectares are affected, as officials ramp up pumps and farm support. Drought Relief for UK Farmers: Worcestershire households may qualify for RABI’s £2,000 emergency drought grant, with Midlands applications opening Oct 5 and closing Oct 9 (or earlier if funds run out). India Rabi Price Support: India’s Cabinet approved higher MSPs for Rabi crops for 2027-28, including big jumps for safflower and rapeseed/mustard, aiming to keep prices remunerative. Water Stress Meets Farm Finance: South Africa’s Land Bank paused new blended finance applications after funding commitments outpaced available grants, raising fresh concerns about whether support reaches farmers when planting windows hit. Aquaculture Tech Push: GS E&C completed a land-based Atlantic salmon trial in Busan using recirculating systems that reuse up to 99% of water, with commercial shipments planned by year-end. Climate Risk and Insurance Gaps: A Lockton report warns more climate-related losses in agriculture and supply chains are falling outside traditional insurance coverage.