Rice Policy Shift (Philippines): The Department of Agriculture says there will be no ban on rice imports, citing the need for buffer stocks ahead of El Niño’s expected dry impact in November–December; imports hit 3.3 million MT last week, while the government plans to buy up to 500,000 MT of palay via NFA and expand purchases to support farmers and keep prices steady. Farm Mechanization (Philippines): The Sugar Regulatory Administration turned over a cane grabber and tractor to Bukidnon’s sugar sector to speed harvest loading, cut costs, and improve field-to-mill logistics. Heat Stress on Fruit (UK): A British apple grower is coating apples with clay “sunblock” to stop fruit from cooking during record heatwaves, after years of spoilage losses. Drought Water Risk (UK): A £3m reservoir in Suffolk has run nearly dry less than a year after construction, raising alarms about long, hot summers and the need for reliable water planning. Invasive Pest Fight (US): Pennsylvania senators introduced a bill to fund research and extension to control spotted lanternflies through 2028. Tobacco Economics (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe recorded a record 357.1m kg tobacco sales, but farmers complain low prices and rising costs are squeezing profits. Regenerative Farming Push (UK): Heineken UK launched an at-scale regenerative malting barley program, paying farmers a premium to make the transition commercially viable. Farmers’ Market Week (US): Seattle’s Fresh Bucks program is expanding access to farmers markets, supporting local growers and neighborhood food options. Soil & Water (India): Telangana is driving completion of 13,046 farm ponds by Aug. 15 to boost water conservation through convergence with rural livelihood programs. Ag Risk Management (USDA): USDA expanded a $35m feral swine eradication effort to protect farms from wild hog damage and disease spread.