AGP Executive Report

El Niño Seed Push (Philippines): The Department of Agriculture is prioritizing higher-quality, higher-yield rice seed distribution to protect farmer incomes as El Niño pressure builds, with a temporary halt to rice imports to stabilize prices and PhilRice shifting strategy toward better-quality rice demand. Drought Hits Rice (Cambodia): In Battambang, nearly 20,000 hectares of rainy-season rice face severe irrigation shortages as rainfall drops about 50% versus last year, with officials monitoring impacts and preparing responses. Farmer Protest, Water Fight (India): Karnataka’s BJP warns the government will “stumble” if farmers keep being forced to protest over water releases from the KRS reservoir, alleging detentions and harassment. Fertilizer Cost Shock (U.S.): A Kansas Corn-backed push follows an FTC fertilizer pricing investigation, citing fertilizer prices up more than 150% since 2020 and mounting pressure on family farms. Organic Price Gap (France): A study says French supermarkets mark up organic fruit and vegetables far more than conventional, leaving farmers with a smaller share of the final price. Biofuel & Fruit Ethanol (India): Toyota says E20 will be the standard fuel for vehicles sold after April 2023, while CSIR-NIIST and a Hyderabad startup plan pilot work to turn surplus seasonal fruit into ethanol. Regenerative Cotton (Togo): Togo launches a three-year regenerative farming program for cotton to cut emissions, restore soils, and boost resilience, targeting nearly 24,000 farmers. Oil Palm Expansion (India): Telangana is moving ahead with a Godrej oil palm processing factory in Khammam to improve crushing capacity and reduce transport costs for farmers.

Fertilizer Cost Crunch: A Kansas Corn-backed push at the FTC spotlights fertilizer prices that have more than doubled since 2020, squeezing farm margins and feeding higher grocery costs. El Niño Crop Warnings: India’s agriculture and home ministers reviewed below-normal rainfall risks, urging farmers to shift toward less water-hungry crops as reservoirs are monitored. Monsoon Uncertainty in South Asia: Telangana farmers face delayed sowing after June rainfall fell about 22% under El Niño, while Nepal reports huge fertilizer imports but still struggles with shortages during peak paddy planting. Water-Saving Kharif Guidance: Chhattisgarh’s government urged moisture-conserving field prep and short-duration crops as the monsoon lags. Tech for Plant Care: YSR Horticulture University is standardizing drone use for disease and nutrient detection and training students to apply it on fruit and vegetable crops. Manure as a Resource: University of Minnesota Extension’s “Manure Prof” highlights nutrient management best practices to cut waste and improve both profitability and water quality. Market & Pest Updates: Mexico fruit fly quarantine expanded in San Diego County; global food prices dipped slightly in June. Farm-to-Table Dispute: A California nectarine grower is giving away over 100,000 pounds of fruit after a lawsuit blocks sales of his white nectarine variety.

Regenerative & climate-smart crops: Carlsberg Denmark says it’s boosting purchases of regenerative barley and is now buying regeneratively grown wheat to cover its wheat needs by 2027, pushing more farm supply toward regenerative practices. Crop resilience & diversity: Scotland’s James Hutton Institute is helping launch the UK’s Novel and Underutilised Crop Network to move lesser-grown crops into mainstream, resilient food systems. Food security & water-linked farming: A Philippine coastal farm model keeps mangroves and uses tidal rice paddies and wetlands to produce food as development pressures wetlands. Markets & costs: USDA’s latest cost outlook warns 2027 production costs will stay elevated across major crops, driven by higher seed, chemicals, labor, machinery and rents—not just fuel and fertilizer. Labor & safety: Washington state fined a Yakima Valley contractor nearly $700,000 over farmworker protection violations affecting 1,200 workers. Farm tech & learning: U.K. researchers found strawberry “ripeness” cameras can misread color due to lighting and camera processing, a caution for automated harvest systems. Wheat & harvest updates: Oman expects about 9,000 tonnes of locally grown wheat in 2026, with procurement already near half complete.

Crop protection alerts: Western Visayas rice growers are being told to watch for bacterial leaf blight, brown planthopper, brown spot, leaf folder and rice stem borer in July–September, with severity tied to weather and field management. Sugar industry pressure: In Negros Occidental, labor groups are urging faster government action against red-striped soft-scale insects after the pest spread to more than 32% of local sugarcane fields, warning of wider social fallout if production collapses. Soil health debate: K-State Extension highlights why wheat stubble baling or burning can cost growers—burning can lose nitrogen and sulfur and leave soil more exposed to erosion. Harvest reality check: Kansas wheat harvest is 72% complete, but drought and hail damage still shaped outcomes for growers. Trade and input costs: Nebraska Corn Growers blasted Bayer’s glyphosate import-duty petition as another threat to farm margins, while U.S. farm groups pushed for quick progress on USMCA renewal to protect corn and ethanol market access. Biofuels gap: A report says U.S. biofuel production is lagging EPA targets, raising the risk of higher renewable fuel credit prices. Farm safety: A UK NFU campaign displayed 41 high-vis jackets representing farm-related deaths since April 2025, underscoring ongoing risks for rural workers.

El Niño Drought Warnings: Mindanao’s MINFED urged sugarcane growers to avoid planting after June, citing a likely “super” El Niño and a potential 6–7 month drought, while Chhattisgarh reported Kharif sowing has stalled (paddy at ~11%) as monsoon rains fail. Pest & Disease Alerts: Western Visayas rice farmers were told to step up field monitoring for five key threats (bacterial leaf blight, brown planthopper, brown spot, leaf folder, stem borer), and Ohio State University is asking growers to report corn disease sightings to help build live risk maps. Trade & Policy Moves: Liberia’s agriculture sector is set to benefit from a record US$56M IFAD allocation after a leadership transition, and Australia opened consultation on a streamlined Wheat Port Code to keep wheat exports running smoothly. Market Watch: Chicago wheat edged up on smaller US/Canada acreage estimates, while ICE cotton climbed for a third day as traders await USDA export sales signals. Food System Support: Michigan shared Fourth of July food-safety reminders, and DA in the Philippines said industry players will limit entry of 5% broken imported rice to protect domestic producers. Sustainability & Tech: Ireland’s climate minister backed anaerobic digestion plants as a must-have for biomethane targets, and China highlighted smart plant factories using soilless hydroponics to supply leafy greens.

Fertilizer Supply Push: USDA announced a new $500 million FIELDS program to expand U.S. fertilizer production, aiming to boost competition and give farmers more buying options. Crop Protection & Disease Watch: Corn growers are being warned that overnight leaf wetness can trigger gray leaf spot, with experts pointing to fungicide timing around tasseling. Input Costs & Trade Tensions: Corn and soybean groups are pushing back on Bayer/Monsanto’s petition for glyphosate duties on Chinese imports, arguing it could raise costs for already-stressed growers. Biosecurity & Livestock Health: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urged FDA to allow feed-based ivermectin to help curb New World screwworm spread. Farm Safety Education: Wisconsin Farm Technology Days will debut a new “FRESH” farm safety and health area for kids and families. Market Access: A U.S. farmers market expanded payment options to include SNAP/EBT and other vouchers to keep fresh produce within reach. Climate Risk for Food: A study warns rising temperatures could push rice beyond historical heat limits across much of Asia, threatening yields for a staple crop.

Water Stress: Philippines’ Angat Dam slipped to 159.97 masl, below the 160-masl critical level, threatening irrigation just as the July wet-season planting window begins. Grain Supply & Prices: Pakistan’s Sindh CM ordered a crackdown on wheat hoarding and profiteering after officials flagged a structural wheat shortfall despite a bumper 2025-26 crop. Monsoon Risk: India warned July rainfall is likely below normal after its fifth-driest June since 1901, with delayed monsoon already cutting kharif sowing by about 23%. Regenerative Results: Ghana says it planted 1.3 million trees in 2025 and brought 181,000 hectares of cocoa landscapes under sustainable management via Rainforest Alliance’s EU LEAN work. Storage for Resilience: Zimbabwe began distributing US$2.1 million in post-harvest silos and mechanisation to 35,000 farmers to cut cereal and vegetable losses ahead of El Niño-linked cropping risk. Crop Quality Threat: Yakima Valley growers were warned wildfire smoke can reduce sunlight and harm apples, hay drying, and wine grape quality. Invasive Vegetation Control: Virginia’s Smith Mountain Lake received 200 sterile grass carp to target hydrilla spread.

USDA Crop Snapshot: USDA’s June acreage and grain stocks reports show 95.343 million acres of corn, 85.365 million acres of soybeans, and 42.740 million acres of wheat, with corn and soy stocks still above year-ago levels—an early signal of ample supply heading toward harvest. Trade & Farm Inputs: Bayer-Monsanto asked U.S. trade officials to investigate Chinese glyphosate imports and add duties, but major farm groups warn it could raise costs for a key weed-control input. Regenerative Farming Push: A finalized USDA rule lets corn and soybean growers quantify the carbon intensity of crops grown with certain regenerative practices, aiming to unlock biofuel market value. Water & Risk Management: North Carolina farmers are leaning on irrigation to ride out drought, while MPs in Cyprus warned water policy could squeeze seasonal crops and push farmers out. Local Food Systems: New York opened a $30M tariff-relief funding opportunity for farmers, and Canada launched a National Food Security Strategy backed by $3B over 10 years. On-Farm Infrastructure: North Dakota’s Nesson Valley irrigation research site is expanding with a new $3.5M facility to speed tech transfer to irrigated producers. Ag Tech & Waste Cuts: A soft robotic hand from West Virginia University targets gentler produce harvesting to reduce bruising and losses.

Climate Risk & Farm Relief: World Food Programme climate insurance is helping farmers in Senegal and Syria recover after extreme weather shocks, aiming to protect livelihoods and food security. Disaster Response: Louisiana’s agriculture commissioner urged flood-hit farmers to document crop losses to unlock state and federal aid, as damage estimates climb. Flood Monitoring: India’s agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is set to visit flood-hit Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to assess crop damage and relief progress. Crop & Supply Chain Impacts: Japan’s Zentsuji growers have started shipping square watermelons as a niche summer decoration crop. Trade & Market Signals: Indonesia plans to export at least 10,000 tonnes of premium rice to Singapore, driven by domestic storage pressure. Policy & Inputs: NFU Scotland warned that UK tariff relief could displace Scottish produce and weaken long-term food resilience. Ag Tech & Breeding: Tropic’s acquisition of a banana propagation firm targets disease pressure and waste with gene-edited varieties. Food Safety/Compliance: Kenya approved an avocado exporter to ship frozen fruit to China after a packhouse compliance audit, with traceability and pesticide documentation requirements.

Farm Support Push: U.S. agriculture groups are urging Congress to approve more aid as higher input costs and fertilizer uncertainty squeeze producers, warning of ripple effects across rural America. Disaster Relief: USDA is offering tornado and severe-weather help for Illinois livestock and crop losses, with eligibility tied to livestock mortality, feed/grazing losses, and orchard replanting. Costs & Planting Decisions: A USDA forecast projects rising production costs into 2027 for corn, soybeans, sorghum and wheat, while analysts also watch for acreage shifts—potentially moving about 1 million corn acres toward soybeans. Market Signals: Namibia reports livestock auctions up 32% in Q1 2026, alongside sharply lower cereal grain imports. Conservation in Action: Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation is turning land into a demonstration farm so farmers can see conservation practices working for water quality and wildlife. Pollinators: New York highlights pollinator protection efforts, including honey producer participation in its Grown & Certified program. International Ag Ties: OCP Nutricrops renews a phosphate fertilizer supply deal with Bangladesh for the 2026-27 season. Greenhouse Caution: Ontario warns that UV-blocking greenhouse coverings can reduce bumblebee pollination performance.

Rice Pest Watch: In Western Visayas, the Department of Agriculture’s RCPC reports brown spot as the top rice disease in May (6.28% incidence), with stem borer damage and rising weeds moving to the front of crop-protection concerns. Fruit Market Planning: Malaysia’s FAMA rolled out a 2026 seasonal fruit plan aimed at durian glut management, using more sales locations, temporary purchasing centres, and operations centres to stabilize farmgate prices. Local Farm Policy Clash: Wisconsin towns face fresh legal pressure over concentrated animal feeding operation rules after farm groups filed public-records requests tied to a CAFO advisory effort. Weedkiller Legal Shock: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked thousands of Roundup “failure to warn” lawsuits, limiting cancer claims against the manufacturer and reshaping pesticide litigation risk for farm states. Climate Pressure on Food: A Europe heatwave is stressing crops and livestock while El Niño risk adds another layer of uncertainty for global food supplies. Soil Health & Training: Maine’s Healthy Soils Program is hosting a free field workshop on soil diagnostics, rotation, pest scouting, and water management. Ag-Tech Growth: Yuma, Arizona, is expanding an ag-tech wireless network to support sensor- and AI-enabled farming across more than 160,000 acres. Vegetable Income Boost: Nepal’s Kavre farmers are shifting from cereals to coffee with local incentives, while off-season vegetable training in South Asia is helping women start small businesses.

Pesticide Health Risk: UCLA researchers report long-term chlorpyrifos exposure near homes is linked to more than 2.5x higher risk of Parkinson’s disease, renewing pressure on pesticide use and protections. Water Quality & Nutrients: Iowa’s lawn watering ban is tied to renewed scrutiny of nitrate pollution in waterways and drinking water, with monitoring and nutrient-reduction efforts back in the spotlight. Farm Economics & Policy: A “farming crisis” debate continues as input costs, market disruptions, and weak federal farm policy squeeze producers, while dairy pricing rules and milk marketing order changes keep farmers uneasy. Crop & Market Support: In India, Andhra mango growers face a price squeeze and demand a Rs 15/kg minimum, while Nepal’s paddy planting season is hit by weak monsoon rains and fertilizer shortages. Local Food Systems: Seattle opens a new urban farm using a hydroponic trailer to grow large volumes of greens with low water use, and a New Jersey worm-farm operation sells castings to gardeners. Ag Innovation & Land Use: Agrivoltaics is pitched as a way to meet rising AI energy demand without taking over farmland, and Michigan is rolling out webinars to slow invasive species spread.

Nature-based resilience: Central Nepal communities revived decades of barren paddy land after a 1984 flood by restoring watersheds and springsheds, using bio-dykes, water ponds, and ecosystem recovery. Soil health & regenerative ag: Iowa farmers are pushing regenerative practices to repair damage from decades of intensive tilling and chemical-heavy cropping. Climate risk to crops: India’s rain-fed dependence leaves farmers exposed as officials map drought vulnerability for paddy and maize ahead of a potentially stronger El Niño. Water infrastructure: India is betting on climate-resilient irrigation—reservoirs, canals, and micro-irrigation—highlighted by a major underground tunnel project moving Narmada water to parched fields. Farm markets & value chains: Delhi’s APMC mandis may add multi-level decks and underground truck parking to cut congestion and speed fruit, vegetable, and grain unloading. Food quality & nutrition: Research warns higher CO2 can boost crop growth while diluting protein and key minerals in staples like wheat and rice. Local food access: Rogue Valley farm-direct stores are helping small producers stay connected to customers through farm-to-market retail. Policy & tech: Pakistan approved a National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy, aiming to modernize seeds and improve productivity while navigating GM maize concerns. Crop losses & weather: Cool spring conditions cut Michigan strawberry yields, tightening supplies at local markets. Pests & safer gardening: Gardeners are being urged to use nature-friendly pest control and avoid hazardous chemical fixes on edible crops.

Specialty Crops Support: USDA opened enrollment for the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program, offering $1.625B in payments to help offset elevated input costs and market disruptions, with applications due by Aug. 7. Climate & Water Stress: Italy’s Po River is running dangerously low in a heatwave, letting seawater push inland up to 18 km and forcing irrigation canals to shut—raising alarms for crops and wetlands. Disaster Relief: Virginia farmers hit by late spring frost and freeze damage can now apply for federal disaster assistance after USDA issued a Secretarial Disaster Declaration covering dozens of counties. Ag Trade & Policy: A new look at USMCA’s role highlights how the pact underpins major ag exports and jobs, while separate reporting warns that tariffs and price caps can squeeze agribusiness investment. Local Farm Economy: A Minnesota soybean council chair was reelected, and a Tennessee co-op merger aims to expand services for growers. Farm-to-Market Momentum: Rail shipments are moving Kashmir plums to major Indian cities, and a Philippines rice outlook points to higher imports as production pressures mount.

Food Prices & Supply Chains: Manitoba’s grocery price strategy report says “farmers” barely show up, shifting attention to competition, market concentration, and data-driven pricing across the field-to-table supply chain. Weather & Crop Risk: Manitoba berry growers are bracing after heavy rain delayed strawberry season; in Italy, the Po River is running dangerously low as seawater intrudes into irrigation canals, threatening Parmesan-linked dairy and sunflower fields. Forage & Water-Smart Farming: University of Minnesota Extension’s field notes webinar focused on alfalfa stand checks, pest scouting, and precision drainage as first-cut decisions near. Local Farm Resilience: A Backroads Harvest Trail spotlights farm stands and small producers, while a “Water Quality 101” event in Iowa ties nitrate concerns to soil health and conservation practices. Idaho Water & Land Pressure: East Idaho farmers got a curtailment order lifted after a mitigation deal; Gov. Brad Little also pledged $10M for aquifer projects, as Treasure Valley farmers debate solar expansion on farmland. Costs Squeezing Farms: Kentucky farmers report rising input costs and pressure on margins, and Farm Bureau data shows Fourth of July cookout prices tracking inflation. Policy & Funding: USDA conservation dollars topped $46M for Idaho projects, and Idaho Extension is accepting applications for small food business grants.

Regenerative Agriculture Push: USDA rolled out a final Regenerative Feedstock Rule alongside a Trump executive order, aiming to link regenerative practices on corn, soybeans, sorghum and spring canola to biofuel supply chains and potential premium revenue. Biofuels Market Signal: The Renewable Fuel Standard’s latest targets are expected to nearly double soybean-based biodiesel and renewable diesel output by 2027, boosting value for soybean farmers and processors. Soil Health Research: A McGill study found that crop diversity and shifting from annual wheat to perennial grain (Kernza) can reshape soil microbes in ways that may improve resilience under more variable rainfall. Drought & Rain Watch (Midwest): In southern Wisconsin, weekend rain offered relief after drought pressure, but farmers say more frequent rainfall is still needed—especially around corn pollination. Pollinator Alarm: Local reporting highlights wild bee declines tied to climate change and parasites, with farmers urging action to protect pollinators. Local Markets & Community Farming: Oxford and Helix farmers markets spotlight hyperlocal produce and makers, while a Rock County CSA story shows more nontraditional growers leaning into sustainable food systems.