Bio-based crop protection: EU’s CROPSAFE project has screened 51 bio-based compounds and picked 24 lab-tested candidates to replace synthetic pesticides for potato, tomato and banana crops. Agri-tech for dual land use: EnergyLane is pushing agrivoltaics—solar above active farmland—aimed at letting farms keep producing while generating power. Farm safety on the road: Ireland’s farm groups urged extra caution on rural roads as silage harvesting ramps up, warning drivers to expect heavy agricultural traffic. Flood wipes out harvests: In Bangladesh’s haor areas, continuous rain and upstream runoff submerged ripe boro paddy, leaving families facing debt and no Eid harvest. Policy and inputs pressure: Vermont became the first US state to ban paraquat over Parkinson’s fears, while analysts warn fertilizer costs may stay high into next spring. Food security risk from energy shocks: FAO warned Strait of Hormuz disruptions could deepen the global food crisis by raising fertilizer and seed costs. Maize outlook: Zambia projects a record 4.9m tonnes of maize, citing favorable weather and targeted support. Hemp jobs push: South Africa’s Eastern Cape says local hemp processing is now feasible using existing cotton technology, aiming to unlock rural jobs.