AGP Executive Report

Soil Health Push: A Philippine lawmaker is backing a nationwide soil strategy, linking Department of Agriculture agencies with state universities and colleges to build a soil research and extension network that helps farmers make better crop and management decisions. Renewables for Cities: Butuan City, Philippines, is planning a 13 MW solar project (online in Q4 2026) plus flood-resilient solar and rooftop panels, alongside electric tricycles, aiming for net-zero by 2050. Climate-Smart Reality Check: Uganda’s $350M climate-smart sorghum program is sending researchers to test whether the technologies are actually improving resilience for farmers in Teso. Farm Tech Profitability: South Dakota State University research finds drones can pay off, but profitability depends on whether farmers use drone data for treatment decisions—not just remote sensing. Protected Landscapes Funding: England’s Yorkshire Dales plan reports progress on peat restoration, hedgerows, and £1.5M in Defra support for projects tying climate, nature, heritage, and communities together. Input Innovation: Ashland launched a nature-based, biodegradable polymeric dispersant for crop protection formulations, targeting better performance and microplastic-free goals. Water Security: India’s water leaders stress “water security is national security,” urging integrated river-basin management, groundwater recharge, and efficient irrigation. School Food Funding Shift: Tennessee’s farm-to-school efforts face gaps after USDA cut a key local-food program, while new “Harvest to Hallways” funding aims to bring more local produce back to cafeterias.

Trade & Prices: Philippines’ DA says it can’t impose a proposed P210/kg floor for live hogs, but is weighing pork tariff restoration and higher safeguard duties while boosting checks on imported meat in wet markets. Farm Operations: Iowa’s wet week cut fieldwork to 1.7 days; corn and soy harvest are behind last year as flooding slows planting and progress. Ag Tech & Data: Beck’s 90th-year “SeedIQ” tool uses AI and millions of data points to tailor hybrid recommendations by field and management. Processing & Supply Chains: Evansville’s Doudlah Farms Organics breaks ground on a 24,000-sq-ft organic grain hub to clean, package and co-pack for Midwest growers. Climate-Energy for Farmers: UK researchers back time-varying electricity tariffs, arguing renewables can be “effectively free” at times—pushing households to shift usage. Conservation: Washington Farmland Trust permanently protects Haugen Dairy’s 47 acres via a development-rights easement. Ag Policy & Funding: Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $1.54M for diversification and rural projects, including compost and value-added processing support. Global Food Systems: AfricaRice and Cameroon officials discussed scaling rice seed multiplication and irrigation land leveling to boost rice self-sufficiency. Renewables Buildout: Victoria’s Western Renewables Link faces a cost review as approvals move ahead for a 190-km transmission line. Safety & Resilience: Iowa urges harvest-season farm safety and mental health check-ins during National Farm Safety and Health Week.

Green Tech & Policy: Melaka is pushing a “Green Champion State” plan, using ESG-backed investments, solar expansion, and digital governance to drive its green transformation. Renewables for Agriculture: India’s Solar Energy Corporation of India invited bids for 4,083.75 kW of rooftop solar at Central Agricultural University institutions, supporting cleaner energy for ag education and operations. Climate Services for Farmers: Nigeria’s NiMet Data Hub moved into testing to deliver location-specific weather and climate info for farmers and livestock keepers, aiming to fix fragmented advisory delivery. Coffee as a Sustainable Growth Bet: Cross River State will host a 2026 International Coffee Festival on “Coffee Sustainability” and plans to distribute 30 million coffee seedlings over five years. Agri-Food Finance: Canada’s fall session returns with agriculture on the agenda, including a proposed Productivity Mega Deduction and a $1B agri-food project finance fund plus support for low-emissions fertilizer tech and greenhouse upgrades. Solar + Crops Together: UW-Madison is testing agrivoltaics at its Kegonsa campus, exploring how solar arrays can coexist with farming by measuring impacts on water, soil carbon, and crop growth. Trade That Reaches Farms: India-New Zealand’s FTA is set to enter into force Oct 20, with duty-free access for 100% of Indian exports and an agricultural productivity partnership.

El Niño Drought Hits Food Staples: In the Philippines, prolonged El Niño has affected 35,000 hectares of rice land in Agusan del Sur, leaving about 21,600 farmers unable to plant and driving agricultural losses estimated at P3.5 billion, with other crops also hit. Farm Livelihoods Under Pressure: In Bosnia and Herzegovina, farmers’ groups are urging a state of natural disaster over drought, warning yields have fallen by over 50% and autumn planting costs are rising while farmgate prices drop. Milk and Dairy Outlook: Fonterra lifted its farmgate milk price forecast midpoint to $9.50/kgMS as global dairy commodity demand strengthens. Climate-Smart Agriculture & Water Management: Peru’s Aymara communities are reviving waru waru raised platforms to protect native potato crops from nighttime frosts at high altitude, boosting food security without engines or cables. Biodiversity Meets Farming Economics: The Ifugao Rice Terraces face biodiversity loss as youth leave rice farming; a proposal seeks Global Environment Facility support to weave biodiversity conservation into ancestral domain economic plans. Illegal Mining Threatens Land and Water: Ghana’s GSAA calls illegal mining “intolerable,” urging firm, apolitical enforcement to protect farmlands, forests, and community health. Energy Transition vs Farmland: In Turkey’s Diyarbakır, locals protest a solar power plan over 800 acres, arguing it could damage fertile agricultural land, pastures, and habitats.

Climate & Food Security: Malaysia urged a whole-of-nation climate response as floods, heat, drought and haze threaten rice, vegetables, livestock and fisheries, pushing the need for climate-resilient farming, water management and storage. Drought Risk: A UK drought-focused report warns food security depends on farmland, water and long-term supply-chain investment, not just more local growing. Farm Support Funding: Colorado secured $13.7m for conservation-linked market access grants to help producers build resilience for a drier future. Fuel Cost Pressure: Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley urged a diesel export ban as record diesel prices “kill farmers’ income,” echoing wider cost squeeze fears. Water-Smart Farming: Jordan’s field schools are training farmers on smart irrigation and new crops to raise returns per cubic metre of water. Land-Use Rules: Kerala is seeking to exclude residential and agricultural areas from Western Ghats ESA limits, citing farmer concerns. Supply Chain Disruption: Kenyan sugarcane farmers protested after a mill drivers’ strike left harvested cane drying in fields. Invasive Threats: Kashmir rice areas face a new invasive weed risk as Parthenium hysterophorus completes its life cycle under local conditions. Sustainable Inputs: A Wooster farm won a $50,000 grant to test biodegradable wool felt mats as a plastic-mulch alternative for weed control and water management. Agri-Transformation Finance: Assam called for region-specific agricultural financing and stronger farm-to-market value chains to lift incomes. Agri Export Push: Ethiopia unveiled a 10-year plan to modernize date palm production and cut imports.

Farm Finance & Policy: India’s Centre-state talks on Vision 2047 zero in on new financing models, with agriculture flagged for investment needs, credit access, water integration and climate-risk protection. Farmer Income Security: India marks seven years of PM-Kisan Maandhan Yojana, a voluntary pension for small and marginal farmers, with millions enrolled and a guaranteed minimum pension at 60. Renewables for Power Stability: Bhutan is turning a former military firing range into a solar farm as winter hydropower drops sharply, forcing electricity imports; the push targets a bigger solar share by 2040. Climate-Smart Tech: NASA and K-State are testing satellite tools with real farms to help manage water, crop health and resilience. Rising Costs Hit Food Systems: Spain’s farmers plan mobilisations over diesel prices and the end of a fuel subsidy, warning of road disruptions and higher food bills. Adaptation on the Ground: ICAR urges climate-resilient training for mountain farmers, including robotics and satellite-based tools. Direct Support & Payments: Scotland reports early delivery of Basic Payment Scheme and Greening funds, with verification deadlines extended. Sustainability Data Push: A pan-African banking view says sustainability data is becoming a strategic capability for risk and capital decisions. Agri Markets & Jobs: Uganda backs coffee and cocoa value addition plus agro-tourism to create youth jobs in Busoga. Flood Risk: Nigeria’s hydrology agency warns 15 states of high flood risk, including farmland exposure in parts of Cross River.

Horticulture Finance: Kenya’s Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe urged faster processing of tax refunds for horticultural investors and a review of levies and charges to keep producers competitive and reinvestment-ready. Grain Prices: Ireland’s tillage groups say 2026 grain prices rose year-on-year, but costs still bite hard, leaving many growers weighing whether to plant cereals. Dairy Innovation Online: World Dairy Expo’s 25th Virtual Farm Tour series will stream regenerative and genetics-focused dairy operations across Washington, Michigan and Texas. Climate-Ready Grazing: UK grazing expert John Bailey urged farmers to adapt to drought with “summer dry grazing” principles as heat and grass shortfalls intensify. Food Security Risk: Asia braces for a potentially very strong El Niño, with warnings of drought, storms and crop disruption that could drive hunger. Solar for Farms: India’s rooftop solar push (PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli) and solar pumps expansion were highlighted as part of wider clean-energy momentum. Post-Harvest Tech Win: Nigeria’s NSPRI won an international award for its parabolic-shaped solar dryer, aimed at cutting post-harvest losses. Coastal Blue Economy: Odisha’s CM called for coastline cleanup to protect marine ecosystems and livelihoods tied to the blue economy.

Farm Fuel Crunch: Record U.S. diesel prices are hammering harvest budgets and freight costs, with farmers warning food prices could rise as fuel hits new highs. Ag Policy & Payments: USDA farm program signup for 2026 is now open, while Scotland reports early rollout of Basic Payment Scheme and Greening funds to most eligible farmers. Climate Action in the Midwest: Illinois released a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan aiming for net-zero by 2050, calling for major changes across transport, buildings, manufacturing, agriculture and waste. Animal Health Watch: New Mexico confirmed a second New World screwworm case in Grant County, triggering expanded surveillance and movement rules. Soil & Tech for Better Decisions: Virginia Tech launched an online soil testing system to streamline sample submission and track results. Sustainable Energy on Farms: A Virginia dairy project will turn discarded food and beverage waste plus manure into renewable natural gas. Drought Relief: Virginia declared a state of emergency for a statewide hay shortage, speeding transport with over-width waivers. Green Agriculture Diplomacy: Azerbaijan joined FAO talks on greening agrifood systems, including regenerative landscape field visits. Youth & Skills: Oyo State and ICMPD launched a €2.4m agriculture-focused youth reintegration project, and Ghana’s UESD partnered with Maleka Farms on aquaculture scholarships.

Renewables for farms and bills: UK’s CfD AR8 could add up to 19GW of renewable capacity and cut customer costs by £11bn, with more protection from gas-price shocks. Direct farm support in the UK: Scotland says 81% of eligible businesses have already received Basic Payment Scheme and Greening payments, with a verification deadline for Future Farming Investment Scheme evidence pushed to Sept 30. Climate risk and disaster relief: Nepal’s agriculture minister says provincial governments run climate-loss relief and crop/livestock/fisheries insurance, with up to 80% premium subsidy planned. Diesel squeeze hits harvest: Record US diesel prices are forcing farmers to curb other spending and raising the odds of higher food costs. Wheat uncertainty: Kansas wheat growers face a mix of drought, high fuel and geopolitical shocks even as wheat prices rise. Soybean processing boost: CHS plans an 80-million-bushel soybean crush plant in Wisconsin, aiming to keep more value in-state for growers. Fertilizer gap in Nigeria: Nigeria’s fertilizer use is stuck around 15kg/ha versus ECOWAS’s 50kg target, limiting yields and pushing constraints like seed and logistics costs. Seaweed value for coastal jobs: UNDP highlights Indonesia’s shift from raw seaweed volume to higher-value processing to strengthen coastal incomes. Bamboo sector bottlenecks (Kenya): Kenya flags weak processing capacity, fragmented markets and limited technical skills as key barriers to bamboo’s climate and economic potential. Water-smart farming in Indonesia: A mangrove rehab program is using community silvofishery to restore thousands of hectares while supporting livelihoods. Agrifood innovation push: WAFI 2026 opens in Beijing with a focus on green, healthy agrifood systems, AI in agriculture and nutrition.

Prairie Harvest Delays: Heavy rain has pushed back harvest across Canada’s Prairie provinces, with Saskatchewan far behind its usual pace (only 32% in the bin vs. 71% average), forcing farmers to wait for fields to dry and plan for salvage. Fuel Cost Pressure: Record diesel prices are hitting farms during harvest, with North Carolina and Kansas producers reporting doubled fuel costs and thinner margins just as equipment and transport demand peaks. Farm Bill & Food Aid: Feeding America says higher food and fuel prices are driving demand at food banks, while it backs Senate farm bill progress that would boost TEFAP supplies and ease SNAP implementation hurdles. Climate Finance Strain: ActionAid reports climate-vulnerable countries spend about 65% of revenues servicing debt, leaving far less for climate action—an issue tied to rising disaster risk and stalled public services. Drought Watch in NZ: El Niño forecasts are warning Wairarapa farmers about dry conditions and potential feed shortages, with concerns about damaged on-farm water infrastructure. Sustainability in Ag Supply Chains: Australia’s rendering and used cooking oil recycling sector launched a new industry sustainability framework to measure and improve environmental performance across the circular economy. Land & Resilience: A coastal flood adaptation strategy in Canada’s Comox Valley, led with K’ómoks First Nation, won a Climate & Energy Action Award for sea level rise planning grounded in culturally centered engagement. Ag Policy Backlash: USDA ended dairy checkoff funding for ESG-related efforts, drawing criticism from producers who say it shifts money away from market promotion.

U.S. Farm Bill Push: The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced a new Agriculture Act of 2026 after Sen. Mitch McConnell returned, but Democrats remain split over SNAP cost-sharing, leaving the bill facing a tough path to the full Senate. Water Security: Colorado’s water board voted to set up a near-term, voluntary conservation program for 2027 river shortages, but farmers want clearer rules before they commit. Regenerative Carbon Payments: India’s Punjab and Haryana farmers will receive over Rs 2.9 crore via digital payments for regenerative practices tied to verified carbon credits. Climate Risk for Food: Nepal’s glaciers are melting faster—plus black carbon is a major driver—raising flood and slope-collapse threats to farming livelihoods. Blue Economy Move: Tanzania is turning seaweed into higher-value products, including seaweed-based organic fertilizer sold to large numbers of farmers. On-Farm Tech for Water: A practical guide highlights that drip irrigation success starts with knowing water quality and soil, then maintaining uniform delivery. Organic Spotlight: A Cork organic farmer is shortlisted for Europe’s best organic farmer awards, underscoring momentum for sustainable livestock systems.

Farm Policy: The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee advanced Farm Bill 2.0 (Agricultural Act of 2026) in a tight 12-11 vote, moving a five-year package toward the full Senate and highlighting priorities like year-round E15, conservation updates, and rural investment. Drought Relief: Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency over drought-driven hay shortfalls, issuing an order to speed hay transport with over-width waivers. Input Cost Pressure: Record diesel prices are squeezing farmers ahead of harvest, with Nebraska and North Dakota producers warning fuel costs can wipe out profits. Women in Agriculture: Ireland’s Sustainable Livestock Village spotlighted women farmers and succession, trust, and water-quality themes, pairing panels with practical on-farm demonstrations. Livestock & Trade: France’s Sommet de l’Élevage returns Oct. 6-9 with livestock genetics, innovation, and rangelands/pastoralists focus. Climate & Land-Use Planning: A policy brief argues Australia needs integrated regional planning so renewable build-outs protect biodiversity and keep agriculture viable. Ag Tech & Data: Sharjah’s youth Shura workshops covered local farming for food security, while a Caribbean initiative is using data-sharing to connect farmers with overseas buyers. Legal Watch: Shenzhen Noposion faces two more blueberry variety rights lawsuits in China.

Smart Rice Gains: Malaysia’s BERNAS SMART SBB program reports padi yields jumping from 1.79 to 4.06 tonnes/ha, lifting gross income 127% for 57 farmers across 119 hectares. Farmland Protection Under Pressure: In Chester County, a Rock Hill Farm preservation deal faces uncertainty after officials tabled a vote and a developer’s lawyer warned the agreement could be “off.” Desert Farming Meets Clean Power: Egypt is piloting agrivoltaics at Habiba Farm in South Sinai, using elevated solar panels to cut soil water evaporation while generating renewable electricity. Fertiliser Compliance Support: Ireland’s DAFM staff are at Ploughing to help farmers file mandatory National Fertiliser Database closing stock declarations by Oct 15 (including “nil” reports). Meat Supply Planning: Mongolia’s government approved financing for reserve meat procurement—15,000–20,000 tonnes planned for Ulaanbaatar’s spring 2027 supply to curb seasonal price spikes. Export Quality Warnings: Kenya’s agriculture chief urged avocado and macadamia farmers to harvest only when fully mature to protect export reputation and reduce rejection rates. Organic Recognition: Cork’s Kay O’Sullivan is shortlisted for the European Organic Awards, spotlighting productive organic beef and sheep farming. Agri-Finance Push: Nigeria reports $266.8m in foreign capital into agriculture (2023–2025), with inflows rising sharply in 2024–2025. Climate Cost for Workers: A UC Davis study estimates heat stress is already driving major lost productivity costs, with high-impact regions including India and Nigeria. Fisheries Investment Milestone: India marks six years of PMMSY, expanding beyond production into cold chains, transport, and market connectivity.

Climate & Faith Mobilization: A new push argues faith communities are growing their climate action, framing stewardship as hope and justice. Farm Economics in B.C.: A UFV-backed study challenges Statistics Canada’s $457M net loss figure by showing most losses come from sub-commercial farms (74% of B.C. farms). Seeds & Tech for Yields: Pakistan’s seed leaders say certified seed, research, and modern technology are key to boosting per-acre income and exports. Working Forests in B.C.: Campbell River areas are picked for a “Working Forest Landscape Model” aiming to balance timber production with biodiversity and wildfire resilience. Farm Permits & Land Use: Waynesboro council delayed Mimosa Farm’s permit vote to January after neighbor concerns over noise and traffic. Water Stress in Nevada: A study links human-caused climate change to worse snow drought risk, threatening snowmelt-dependent ranching. Women Farmers’ Power: OCP and UM6P open a global conference focused on moving women farmers from participation to economic agency. Soil & Biodiversity Finance: Pakistan’s biodiversity financing push reframes nature as productive infrastructure for investment. Ag Policy & Costs: Minnesota lawmakers eye another $12B farm relief bridge as input and diesel costs bite. Solar on Farmland: California lawmakers advanced a bill to ease qualifying solar projects on Williamson Act agricultural land. Agri-education & Diversification: Monmouth adds agribusiness management and finance majors; Niagara-on-the-Lake launches an on-farm diversified uses review. Local Food Systems: Klamath Grown hosts a farm-to-table presentation connecting producers and community health. Exotic Pest Crackdown: U.S. CBP seized rare Chief Goliath beetles smuggled to Germany. Ag Water Quality Funding: New York awards about $25M for on-farm water quality conservation projects. Renewables & Rural Jobs: Serbia’s Cibuk 2 wind farm (154 MW) is inaugurated, adding to a growing clean power hub.

Food Procurement & Farmer Cashflow: Sri Lanka’s Cabinet approved an extra 2.5 billion rupees for the Paddy Marketing Board to keep 2026 Yala procurement moving after purchases surged past targets, with officials saying payment capacity is now in place. Climate Risk for Farming: Nepal-linked glacier retreat on Mount Ağrı is shrinking ice caps and raising mudflow fears, a reminder that mountain hazards can quickly turn into rural livelihood crises. Rural Infrastructure & Access: Communities in Malawi’s Machinga district say delays on the Blantyre–Zomba–Chingale road are disrupting education, health access, and farming—pregnant women reportedly deliver en route when bridges and routes fail. Fertilizer Pressure & Market Rules: Bangladesh reports a fertilizer surplus ahead of Rabi/Boro, while U.S. farmers push USDA to investigate possible fertilizer collusion as prices strain budgets. Sustainable Inputs & Soil Tech: Ghana researchers are deploying 3D subsurface imaging to track water and nutrients in real time, aiming to boost climate-resilient yields. Agri Trade & Prices: U.S.–Canada tariff escalation is expected to hit dairy supply chains and raise costs for farmers on both sides. Livestock Health: Wales warns keepers to report suspected bluetongue and urges vaccination to protect herds. Regenerative Momentum: India’s regenerative agriculture push is gaining scale as soil degradation threatens productivity. Renewables on Farms: A Kansas rancher’s wind royalties show how clean energy can stabilize farm income—if local concerns are addressed.

USDA Disaster Aid: USDA is awarding $2.8M in grants to help rebuild tornado-hit infrastructure in rural Iowa, including a new water treatment facility in Minden and an emergency medical services building in Greenfield. Food Safety: Happy Hens (Ramona, CA) voluntarily recalled some organic eggs after a Salmonella outbreak linked to 23 California illnesses and seven hospitalizations. On-Farm Innovation & Wellness: A Maine dairy, Rainbow Valley Farm, teamed with Stonyfield to launch a “Cow Spa” with calf cuddling and farm-to-human wellness experiences. Animal Science Workforce: UT’s Institute of Agriculture received $750,000 to create F.U.S.E. Animal Science, a fellowship connecting research, Extension, and real-world training for future animal science professionals. Climate & Water Planning: Lethbridge Polytechnic unveiled Irrimap, a web tool that helps producers estimate evapotranspiration for smarter irrigation decisions. Conservation Funding: Indiana’s SWCD and NRCS will host a public forum to shape where local conservation dollars go for soil health, water quality, and wildlife. Market Signals: USDA trimmed its 2026-27 US corn outlook and lifted global wheat ending stocks in its September report.