AGP Executive Report

Trade Pressure on Produce: California avocado growers are urging Washington to “put American farmers first” in Mexico trade talks, warning Mexico’s low-cost supply and cartel influence could flood markets during the March–September California season. Pest & Crop Risk Alerts: Philippines rice authorities in Western Visayas flagged five likely threats for July–September—bacterial leaf blight, brown planthopper, brown spot, leaf folder and rice stem borer—urging stronger field monitoring. Sugarcane Emergency Response: Negros Occidental declared a calamity to speed action against red-striped soft-scale insects, with about 32% of sugarcane area reported affected. Fertilizer Access & Farm Costs: Nigeria’s NADF began distributing 80,640 free fertilizer bags to South-South smallholders, while farmers in Katsina warned insecurity and soaring fertilizer prices are squeezing 2026 planting. Labor Enforcement: Washington state fined a Yakima-area farm labor contractor nearly $700,000 for violations affecting about 1,200 workers across multiple farms. Climate & Water Stress: South Carolina’s drought deepened ahead of the Fourth of July, with extreme drought expanding and water limits in some areas. Community Farming Support: Bangladesh’s youth-led CALL project is helping flood-prone char farmers harvest zinc-fortified, flood-tolerant rice and set up homestead nutrition gardens.

Sugarcane Pest Emergency (Philippines): Negros Occidental declared a state of calamity to speed up response to red-striped soft-scale insects (RSSI), with about 32% of its sugarcane area already affected and quick-response funds set to target the outbreak. Land & Debt Relief (Philippines): In Bicol, the Department of Agrarian Reform distributed 11,247 land ownership documents and debt condonation certificates to nearly 10,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries, covering over 15,500 hectares. Crop Damage From Rain (US): Mississippi growers reported major losses after heavy summer rain, with some watermelon fields down 60% to 90% and harvested fruit spoiling in transit. Pest Monitoring for Farmers (US): Ohio launched a statewide slug monitoring effort to help growers scout early and avoid costly damage, sharing weekly updates as slug activity shifts by location. Women in Farming (India): Maharashtra introduced a Women Farmers Empowerment Bill to recognize women farmers and expand access to welfare schemes, credit, subsidies, and extension services. Agritech & Labor (US Sugar): Florida reports autonomous tractors are being rolled out in Florida sugar harvesting, with technicians monitoring multiple driverless machines remotely. Policy & Water Stress (US): Montana farmers described flooding that breached berms and left parts of fields underwater, underscoring how repeated storms are compounding risk.

Food Policy: Philippines President Marcos is still deciding whether to extend the P50/kg price cap on imported rice, with the call tied to the coming wet-season harvest. Farm Inputs & Compliance: Louisiana producers are reminded to book appointments with local FSA offices to file crop acreage reports by July 15 to keep USDA program eligibility. Irrigation Stress: Philippines’ Angat Dam dropped below the 160 masl critical level, threatening irrigation for the start of the wet planting season. Crop & Market Watch: USDA’s Grain Stocks and Acreage snapshot shows higher old-crop wheat, corn and soybean inventories, while wheat planted area surprised lower than some expectations. Harvest Conditions: Kansas wheat harvest is pushing forward but heat and intermittent rain are creating uneven progress. Ag Tech & Machinery: DJI unveiled new Agras T55/T100 dual-battery spraying tech; Spudnik laid off 100 workers while continuing potato and vegetable equipment innovation. Soil Regeneration: UK apple growers are testing “charged” biochar to improve tree establishment and drought resilience. Agri Security: Fresno/Tulare investigators arrested suspects in felony grand theft of peaches. Climate & Conflict: NATO-backed work in Ukraine is testing giant miscanthus to help clean war-damaged soil for future farming.

Climate Adaptation Planning: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture is rolling out a data-driven food-systems plan to blunt El Niño impacts, linking production, storage, logistics, weather and market demand, while fast-tracking irrigation and small farm reservoirs. Water Stress for Crops: Angat Dam in Bulacan fell to 159.97 masl, below a key 160 threshold, raising fears of limited irrigation for the July planting season. Regenerative Biofuels: USDA finalized a rule that lets regenerative farmers document carbon reductions for renewable fuel feedstocks, potentially opening new income streams. Farm Finance Pressure: Illinois farm bankruptcies are rising for a third straight year, with growers facing mounting debt and weak returns. Harvest Disruptions: Rain and high winds are slowing wheat harvest in parts of the Great Plains and Illinois, with lodging and weed growth adding costs. Food Prices Watch: “Tomatoflation” is pushing tomato prices higher after Florida freezes and Mexico setbacks, though prices may ease as production rebounds. Sugar Harvest Logistics: Fiji sugar growers are signing more MOGA contracts as crushing starts, after fuel subsidies and updated harvest/cartage rates were approved. On-Farm Losses & Theft: Fresno County arrested suspects in a peach theft case, while farmers in Omusati report crop wipeouts from elephant raids.

Fertiliser Security: The European Commission is weighing a strategic EU fertiliser reserve after Middle East-linked supply worries pushed shortages and price spikes, with imports covering a big share of nitrogen and phosphate needs. Policy & Payments: Ireland’s Straw Incorporation Measure is oversubscribed (73,172ha entered), but farmers are still waiting on acceptance letters and funding certainty. Weather & Planting: India’s Siddipet district faces a major monsoon shortfall, with only 60,000 acres sown so far and farmers fearing delayed rains could force re-sowing. Grain Outlook: Sweden’s grain output is forecast to drop about 20% in 2026 due to winter damage and regional drought. Farm Tech & Livestock: Iowa State and South Dakota State partnered with Tallgrass Cattle and Getting Farms for a cattle technology field day focused on grazing cover crops and herd monitoring tools. Solar vs Farmland: A proposed giant solar farm near Cheshire’s M6 is drawing backlash over loss of productive Grade 2 land and local landscape impacts. Market & Risk: Canada’s grain transport monitor says railways are using “seasonal” freight pricing that can cut what farmers receive at elevators early in the crop year.

Climate & Crop Risk: Europe’s heatwave death toll has topped 1,300, with major infrastructure disruptions reported as temperatures soar. El Niño Watch: Forecasters say El Niño is strengthening later this year, raising alarms for rice across Asia as rainfall patterns shift and heat adds stress. Water & Soil Resilience: South Gujarat’s Ridge-to-Valley model is turning forests into natural water reservoirs, boosting groundwater recharge and helping farmers irrigate. Farm Policy & Inputs: The Trump administration is pausing phosphate import duties from Morocco for up to eight months to ease fertilizer supply pressure. Regenerative Incentives: USDA’s finalized Regenerative Feedstock Rule lets corn/soy farmers quantify lower carbon intensity for biofuel feedstocks using practices like cover crops and reduced tillage. Disaster Impacts: An EF-3 tornado in Illinois damaged crops and destroyed grain storage, forcing farmers to rethink rebuilding and hauling. Training & Extension: Italy signed a €20m loan with Pakistan to expand agriculture skills and extension via TVET programs. Local Farming Realities: Northern Indiana growers report weather swings and equipment delays, while Minnesota vegetable farms say dry heat is hurting pollination and raising irrigation costs.

Rice Pest Watch (Philippines): Western Visayas rice fields face rising pressure, with brown spot the top disease at 6.28% incidence in May, while stem borer damage and weeds are emerging as key crop-protection concerns, according to the Department of Agriculture’s RCPC monthly surveillance. Farm Finance Stress (US): Illinois and the broader Midwest are seeing a worsening farm crisis, with family farm bankruptcies up sharply in 2025 and 2026 filings accelerating, as debt climbs and insurance doesn’t always cover costs. Tariff Relief (US): New York launched a $30 million Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Program to help dairy, livestock, specialty crops and aquaculture producers offset tariff-driven market losses and higher input costs. Monsoon Prep (Pakistan): Pakistan’s meteorology and disaster authorities issued pre-monsoon alerts for heavy rain, strong winds, lightning and flooding risks starting July 1, including urban flooding warnings for major cities. Crop Damage Updates (Spain): Asaja Castilla-La Mancha reported early estimates of storm hail, wind and rain damage across cereals, vineyards, almonds, olives and more, with some areas seeing hundreds of hectares affected. Labor Demand (US): H-2A certifications continue to surge, with more than a quarter-million positions certified in the first half of FY2026, signaling ongoing domestic farm labor shortages. Water Tensions (Pakistan/India): Pakistan framed the Indus Waters Treaty dispute as a global justice issue, tying water access directly to agriculture and food security. Organic Resilience (Hungary): Organic farming is highlighted as more drought-resilient, with soils holding more water even if yields can run lower than conventional systems.

Fertiliser & farm inputs: Nigeria’s NADF flagged off distribution of 80,640 fully subsidised fertiliser bags to 20,160 smallholders in the South-South under its Farm Input Support Programme, aiming for the “right farmers, right crops, right time.” Irrigation funding: Zimbabwe is turning grain import levy revenue into irrigation, with over US$3.2m and ZIG29m already deployed via the Agricultural Marketing Fund, including rehabilitation of the Glen Somerset scheme. Sugar season & grower pressure: Fiji confirmed its Lautoka, Rarawai and Labasa mills will start crushing July 1, while sugarcane farmers in Fiji’s NFU threaten a no-harvest protest over the guaranteed cane price staying at $85/tonne. Soil salinity research: Scientists say naturally occurring soil microbes could help crops like maize, tomato and rapeseed survive salty farmland—potentially opening new areas for production. Climate-smart rice: Nepal’s National Paddy Day highlights climate-friendly rice technologies, improved seeds and minimum support prices to boost self-reliance. Water & leadership: On CharLata island in Bangladesh, a project trained 60 women to lead water governance as saline intrusion worsens shortages. Food loss beyond cold storage: An IIM Indore study warns cold chains alone won’t cut India’s perishable food waste without better coordination, digital tools and market links.

El Niño Pressure on Farms: India’s Punjab paddy farmers are bracing for a weaker monsoon as forecasters warn a strong El Niño could mean a long rainfall deficit, higher irrigation costs, and more stress on groundwater. Food-Security Prep: The FAO is urging early action ahead of El Niño, warning agriculture-dependent communities could face major food crises later this year and into early 2027. Water Crisis in Europe: Italy’s Po River is seeing saltwater push up to 18 km inland during an early heatwave, forcing irrigation curbs and putting crops like soybeans, maize, rice, and alfalfa at risk. Pollinator Risk: Research links low-dose sulfoxaflor exposure to molecular changes in bumblebees, raising concerns about crop protection choices and future pollination. Local Harvest Stories: Oman’s Sohar Mango Gene Bank is preserving 252 mango varieties for long-term breeding and resilience, while Namibia’s Omushiyo Mixed Farm is celebrating a second potato harvest—40 tonnes from one hectare. Rural Jobs Boost: Jordan and the IsDB-backed HOPE program signed in Vienna aims to expand rural employment and climate-smart farming through improved finance and value chains. Farm Economy Strain: U.S. farm income is in a prolonged downturn, with bankruptcies rising and producers “cutting back on expenditures and inputs” to survive.

Disaster Relief for Virginia Farmers: USDA approved a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for 43 primary and 61 contiguous counties after late-spring frost and freeze damage, with some losses reported above 30% and growers facing delays until the 2027 season. Water Stress Hits Italy’s Po Valley: A severe heatwave has pushed seawater inland as Po River flows plunge, threatening irrigation and crops in northern Italy’s dairy and farming heartland. Drought Deepens in U.S. Southside: Southside’s worst drought in nearly 20 years is cutting forage production sharply, with extreme drought conditions persisting and soil moisture worsening after windy, dry weather. Farm Policy and Funding Moves: Pakistan approved a National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy to modernize agriculture, while Fiji announced budget support for non-sugar crops and livestock research, extension, mechanisation and market access. Market and Production Updates: Kashmir CA-stored apples sold nearly all remaining stock but at average-to-low returns due to glut and quality issues; Zimbabwe farmers sold 135,000 tonnes of maize by mid-June, up 71% year-on-year. Rural Innovation and Inputs: Nigeria’s cassava push is shifting from production to industrial processing, and Jigawa State launched a wet-season support package including 6,000 solar pumps and fertiliser for 90,000 farmers.

Drought & Water Stress: Italy’s Po River is drying fast in the heatwave, with seawater intrusion forcing some irrigation canals shut and raising fears for July crops tied to Parmesan milk production. Harvest Updates: Wheat harvest is winding down in Kansas’ Hays area after wet weather slowed progress, while China’s Shanxi province is pushing summer wheat harvesting toward completion by month-end. Farm Safety: A 69-year-old farmer in Andhra Pradesh was trampled to death by a wild elephant while harvesting paddy, underscoring risks during night fieldwork. Policy & Support: Virginia received a USDA disaster declaration for frost and freeze damage across dozens of counties, aiming to help farmers through the next growing season. Market Pressure: A Farm Bureau survey says a Fourth of July cookout cost about 4% more than last year, highlighting how inflation squeezes food budgets even as farmers get a small share of each dollar. Horticulture Trade: India’s GI-tagged Rewa Sundarja mangoes made their first commercial export to the UAE, starting a push for regular shipments. Land & Rights: Karnataka’s deputy CM says farmers won’t be forcibly evicted for the GBIT project and land will be acquired only with consent, with compensation open to revision. Agriculture Jobs: Ireland posted new openings for dairy farm assistants in Cork and Limerick, plus meat processing roles across multiple locations.

Water Stress in Burundi Rice: In Mpanda, western Burundi, rice farmers say an unusually long B farming season and unfair irrigation practices are leaving less than half of about 20 hectares likely to mature, threatening major harvest losses. UK Growers Turn Waste Into Food: A five-year deal pairs Upcycled Plant Power with East of Scotland Growers to recover broccoli stems and leaves for plant-based protein and fiber, aiming to cut harvesting costs and create new revenue. Local Markets Keep Rolling: Edina’s farmers market opens for the season with weekly vendors, music, and family activities, while Cherokee Nation’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program loads $100 cards for elders to buy local produce from authorized vendors. Farm Policy & Costs Watch: Wisconsin farmers report harvest and planting delays tied to wet, cold weather and rising input costs, with profits squeezed even when yields hold up. Research & Training: The University of Wyoming launches a Controlled Environment Agriculture Network to build workforce skills and speed innovation in year-round indoor farming. Crop Progress in the Midwest: USDA reports strong corn and soybean emergence in Indiana and generally good conditions in Michigan, though development is slower than Indiana.

Fish Farming Shock: Tilapia cage operators at Magat Dam in Ramon, Isabela are facing million-peso losses after a massive fish kill blamed on oxygen depletion during prolonged hot weather, with growers forced to sell surviving fish far below normal prices. Rice & Input Pressure: USDA raised its Philippines rice import forecast to 5.20M MT for 2026-27 as milled output is expected to fall, citing higher fuel and fertilizer costs and reduced water levels. Pest Threat Spreads: Negros Occidental is forming a province-wide task force to stop red-striped soft-scale insects, now moving from sugarcane into corn and vegetables. Farmers Under Heat Stress: A new EU-OSHA update flags agriculture as the sector most exposed to extreme heat, with many workers facing high temperatures for large parts of the day. Regenerative Push: USDA finalized a Regenerative Feedstock Rule linking regenerative practices to biofuel markets for corn, soybeans, sorghum and spring canola. Value-Add Moves: Cameroon’s Chocolat Rouge says its cocoa processing plant is starting up, aiming for chocolate bars in weeks and more processed exports.

Weather & Water Stress: India’s late, weak monsoon is already delaying sowing and triggering water restrictions in Mumbai, with reservoirs not expected to refill quickly enough. Drought & Energy Risk: Lake Powell in the Colorado River system is at its lowest summer level ever, with federal projections warning of a drop toward “minimum power pool,” raising the specter of major power and environmental impacts. Crop Progress (Canada): Saskatchewan seeding is 99% complete, but about 3% of acres went unseeded due to excessive moisture, and some forage and pasture areas face yield or carrying-capacity hits. Harvest Disruption (U.S.): Kansas wheat harvest is over halfway and running early, but drought and a late freeze cut yields, while rains still keep some farmers out of fields. Flood Losses (U.S.): South Mississippi watermelon growers are facing heavy losses after weeks of rain and flooding, with fields too wet to harvest and fruit rotting or splitting. Pest Pressure (Philippines): In Negros Occidental, red-striped soft-scale insects have spread beyond sugarcane to corn and vegetables, prompting a province-wide task force. Policy & Inputs (U.S./Iran): Trump says released Iranian assets will be used to buy U.S. crops, including wheat, soybeans and corn, as part of an Iran supplemental request. Pest & Specialty Crops (California): California lawmakers urge USDA emergency funding to fight the glassy-winged sharpshooter, a threat to vineyards via Pierce’s disease. Livestock/Water Quality (Philippines): A massive fish kill at Magat Dam is blamed on oxygen depletion during hot weather, hitting tilapia cage operators with losses ahead of harvest.

Policy & Trade: Philippines Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered a halt to importing bioethanol feedstock (molasses, sugar, sugarcane, syrups) to protect the domestic sugar industry and farmers. Climate Risk: Singapore’s haze outlook warns of a “red alert” risk of severe haze later this year as El Niño returns and biofuel-driven deforestation could add fuel to fires. Grains & Markets: Mexico’s corn output is forecast to fall 2% to 24.3M tonnes as farmers cut planted area; imports are expected to rise. Fertilizer Pressure: A U.S. Farm Bureau survey says nearly 70% of farmers can’t afford needed fertilizer, with costs still squeezing farm plans. Pesticide Safety: Vermont became the first U.S. state to ban paraquat, citing a possible link to Parkinson’s. Horticulture Exports: India shipped its first commercial sea load of Banganapalle mangoes to Singapore, nearly doubling returns for growers. Local Support: Karnataka approved Market Intervention Scheme aid of Rs 1,750 per quintal for Totapuri mangoes after price drops. On-Farm Practice: UW–Madison Extension set a July 1 Nitrogen and Soil Management Field Day focused on soil health and smarter nitrogen use.

Monsoon & heat stress: India’s monsoon has pushed into Central India, but officials warn of lightning and gusty winds as June rainfall deficits stay severe, while the Centre has mapped 315 at-risk districts and urged faster water-harvesting repairs and contingency cropping. EU farm policy: EU member states get room to use up to 20% of CAP funds for coupled income support, with extra flexibility for protein crops and at-risk farming areas. Crop & soil impacts: Europe’s drought and moisture stress are firming grain prices, and Kentucky State research points to pine-sawdust biochar as a longer-term fix for acidic soils under soybeans. Farm resilience tools: California launched the Regen Ag Planner to help growers map regenerative options and funding, and Azerbaijan is expanding agricultural insurance payouts. Local farm pressures: Punjab’s storage crisis is worsening as godowns choke with old rice and incoming paddy, while Arkansas watermelon fields and other crops face flash-flood damage. Market & food costs: Farm Bureau estimates a record-high Fourth of July cookout cost, reflecting higher grocery prices. Agri trade & exports: Vietnam and China urged stronger value chains and faster market access, while Vĩnh Long pomelo growers scale export-ready production for China. Food security & community: Duluth’s farmers market is seeing steady demand despite unseasonable weather, and Nepalgunj schools closed again due to extreme heat.