AGP Executive Report

Drought & heat stress: Visegrad Four farm groups urged the EU to act fast as drought cuts fodder and threatens livestock feed, while Cambodia’s coffee sector warned El Niño could persist through Feb 2027, pushing smallholders to boost irrigation and water management. Crop protection pressures: In the UK, flea beetles plus a very hot, dry summer are stunting brassicas and could knock Brussels sprouts off the holiday menu; in India’s Karnataka, the CM’s drought survey found crops failing to come up properly in Bagalkot. Farm income & costs: USDA projects Northwest farm income down 5% in 2026, even as other regions rise; in the US, diesel hit a record $5.85/gal, adding pressure to harvest and transport costs. Policy & support: France announced €1bn in emergency aid for weather-hit farmers, and crop insurance reminders in Illinois urged producers to document damage early. Markets & trade: Montana Farm Bureau warned Canada tariff retaliation could hurt farmers and ranchers as US-Canada trade talks unravel. On-farm innovation: New Holland rolled out AI-assisted forage harvesting to reduce operator guesswork, and BASF showcased nematode resistance soybeans.

El Niño Fallout for Farms: Northern Mindanao (Philippines) says about 141,000 hectares are vulnerable to a long dry spell, with September “decisive” for whether farmers plant corn and palay or skip the cycle as Pagasa forecasts below-normal rainfall. Drought Compensation Moves: Sri Lanka’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Insurance Board begins paying compensation for dry-weather crop losses, including paddy and maize, with Polonnaruwa credits starting Sept. 4 and other districts by Sept. 15. Livestock Disease Alarm: Central Kashmir faces a suspected lumpy skin disease outbreak, with reports of 350 cattle affected and calls for urgent veterinary response and compensation. Water-Smart Irrigation Push: Nigeria’s NASENI is demonstrating solar irrigation pumps in Kano to help dry-season rice farmers cut costs and reduce dependence on fuel. EU Gene-Editing Fight: Hungarian NGOs urge legal action at the EU Court of Justice to overturn new rules that deregulate most gene-edited crops, arguing farmers and consumers will lose key safeguards and labeling clarity. Harvest Disruption & Safety: Manitoba/Saskatchewan researchers confirm four tornadoes, including one near Elkhorn reaching 155 km/h and damaging farm structures and crops; meanwhile, multiple regions are warning drivers to slow down for harvest traffic and farm equipment.

Water stress hits rice in the Philippines: Valencia City, Bukidnon says below-normal rainfall has damaged about 80% of its 300-hectare rainfed rice area, with farmers struggling to move from vegetative to reproductive stages as local water sources dry up and the National Irrigation Administration schedules deliveries. Fertilizer supply chain push in Canada: Developers say a new phosphate terminal under construction at the Port of Johnstown could move up to 400,000 tonnes a year, aiming to cut Canadian farmers’ reliance on U.S. import routes. Pest control, less pesticide use in Saudi Arabia: Weqaa launched a nationwide “Healthier Choice” campaign to promote integrated plant pest management based on monitoring, diagnosis, prevention and targeted interventions. Heat resilience science: Researchers report a molecular mechanism that helps keep leaf cooling pores active during high temperatures, pointing toward future climate-resilient crops. Harvest pressure and costs in the U.S.: Arkansas farmers are racing through early corn, rice and soybean harvests as hot, dry weather speeds progress, while diesel prices push fuel bills higher. Farm tech and inputs: Case IH unveiled new precision mapping for hay producers, while DOST-Davao installed an automated weather station to support smarter crop management. Policy and trade backdrop: A U.S. continuing resolution keeps crop insurance and disaster relief funding running through December, while El Niño forecasts warn of bigger weather swings ahead.

El Niño Alert: The UN’s weather agency warns El Niño is set to intensify into a “very strong” event, likely lasting into February and raising risks of drought, floods, and extreme heat that could hit farming and food security worldwide. Fodder Pressure in Ireland: ICSA says farmers need immediate action on fodder, calling for faster rules on cutting riparian areas, an extension on chemical fertiliser deadlines, and support to plant fast forage crops and move grain and fodder to where it’s needed. Punjab Protest: Farmers at the Chandigarh border (Day 3) are demanding a legal MSP guarantee, debt relief, crop insurance, and changes to water-sharing agreements, saying the government has stayed silent for years. Water Projects in Uttarakhand: India’s Centre urges Uttarakhand to speed up 15 watershed projects under WDC-PMKSY 2.0, extending the completion deadline to Sept. 30, 2026. Gaza Seed Bank Rebuild: Farmers in Gaza are rebuilding a local seed bank and cultivating heirloom crops to preserve local varieties despite land and access constraints. Drought Hits Water Supply in US: New Mexico’s Elephant Butte Reservoir has fallen to about 1.4% full, underscoring how basin drought is squeezing irrigation-dependent farms.

Digital Ag Tech: Northeast China’s Heilongjiang is using AI, drones, satellites, and real-time data maps to monitor crops and tractor activity across millions of hectares, pushing mechanization to near-total levels. Climate & Markets: Traders are warning that El Niño and Himalayan instability could keep volatility high for commodities, while diesel prices are spiking—an added hit for farm costs and harvest logistics. Water & Drought Response: Germany’s agriculture minister says drought damage is a national crisis and is moving toward €1B in low-interest support; South Africa is bracing for El Niño-driven below-normal rains; and Iowa’s Greater Des Moines Watershed program has surged cover-crop enrollment past 300,000 acres (and statewide beyond 1 million). Policy & Farm Economy: California lawmakers advanced a farmland-to-solar bill tied to water-stressed land; Georgia set grape quality rules for its 2026 harvest (including a lowered Saperavi sugar threshold). Food Systems & Safety: USDA is rolling out “Harvest to Hallways” to connect more local farms to school meals, while new research flags pesticide poisoning as a major global farm health crisis. Local Agriculture Life: Utah approved 450 extra elk permits amid drought, and North Dakota is urging safer roads as harvest equipment fills highways.

Flood Risk & Food Systems: Central Luzon’s 2026 Habagat flooding in Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac submerged farmland and disrupted infrastructure, with the report pointing to more than rain—river siltation, erosion, land subsidence, dam operations and sea-level rise—pushing a call for basin-wide management and long-term financing. Smart Farming Push: Malaysia’s Perak is seeking budget support to expand its Smart Agriculture Development Programme, aiming for smart farming areas, matching grants and tech like smart irrigation, robotics and mechanisation. Water Supply Shock: Israel’s desalination plants shut down after a spike in seawater turbidity, raising concerns for agriculture while authorities shift to wells and the Sea of Galilee. Pesticide Poisoning Crisis: A new study estimates about 46% of farmers are acutely poisoned by pesticides each year, with major impacts in southern Asia and India. Farmgate Price Pressure: India’s onion prices have surged sharply despite stable production, with officials and industry pointing to quality issues after rain delays and harvest disruptions. Farm Safety & Labor: Ireland’s Longford farmers are turning to vaccination to reduce weaning-related calf pneumonia, while Hawaii highlights rising mental health risks for farm workers after repeated storms. Tech for Harvesting: CLAAS unveiled combine harvesting accessories and precision tech aimed at higher throughput and cleaner grain quality.

Ag Tech & Digital Services: Malaysia’s Fisheries Department rolled out eSPeKS for online aquaculture assistance applications and AquaTrack as a digital logbook to track stocking, feed use, harvest yields, and calculate feed conversion and break-even points. Weather & Farm Risk: The Philippines’ agriculture department reported about P2.84B in farm losses from the enhanced southwest monsoon and typhoons Luis, Maymay and Neneng, hitting rice hardest and affecting tens of thousands of farmers and fishers. Crop Timing Under Heat: Purdue Extension warns late-summer triple-digit heat could speed corn maturity and trigger faster dry-down, raising stalk-rot and standability concerns ahead of harvest. Insurance & Flood Damage: Illinois crop insurance claims are rising as excessive rainfall drives replant and production-loss payouts; farmers are urged to file claims early and wait for adjuster inspections before harvesting damaged fields. Policy & Support: India’s agriculture minister reviewed progress of the PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana in 100 low-productivity districts, focusing on convergence, district action plans, and beneficiary-level outcomes. Drought Pressure: In India’s Karimnagar, a dry spell is stunting cotton growth and could cut yields sharply if rain doesn’t arrive soon. Market Watch: Corn prices are rallying into September, with analysts saying $6 corn is possible as harvest begins, though yield swings remain wide. Aquaculture & Trade: Malaysia and Thailand completed virtual inspections for seabass and shrimp export activity as part of fisheries oversight. Flood Alerts: Nigeria’s Ogun State issued a fresh flood warning for September’s second rainy-season phase, urging residents in vulnerable areas to relocate.

Disaster Response: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture says monsoon and typhoons Luis, Maymay and Neneng have caused about P2.84 billion in farm losses, hitting 72,803 farmers and fishers, with rice taking nearly half the damage. Water Stress: Sri Lanka’s drought is turning drinking water into a daily struggle as wells dry up and families queue for hours just to cook and wash. Weather Watch: Tamil Nadu may get moderate rain in 14 districts, offering brief relief from heat but not a full temperature reset. Harvest Reality Check: The UK’s Harvest 2026 is nearly done, but AHDB reports disappointing yields and big quality swings as wetter conditions slow progress. Farmgate Economics: In India’s Punjab, farmers are launching a weeklong Chandigarh protest demanding MSP guarantees and opposing a US free-trade push; in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapur, coriander prices have crashed to ₹3–₹5 per kg bundle, pushing some growers to abandon harvests. On-Farm Health: Australia’s “Harvesting Health” event is bringing free checks and mental-health support to rural communities. Market Logistics: CN Rail reports strong grain movement in Western Canada as harvest ramps up. Ag Tech & Climate: MIT researchers are using game-based models to help communities plan for local climate risks.

Grain Logistics & Prices: CN Rail says Western Canada grain movement is running strong at about 550,000 tonnes per week as harvest ramps up, supported by above-average carry-in stocks and Black Sea export uncertainty that’s keeping wheat marketing active. Cattle & Processing: USDA unveiled the Ranchers First Initiative to rebuild a U.S. cattle herd at a 75-year low, pairing new insurance and disaster support with moves to strengthen regional meat processing and boost purchases of locally processed beef. Harvest Pressure & Weather: Britain’s cereal farmers face nearly £5bn in losses after three straight poor harvests tied to extreme heat and drought, while parts of Uganda’s Lango region report crops wilting and second-season planting stalled as rainfall turns erratic. Land Use & Food Security: The Philippines is proposing geofencing to protect up to 3 million hectares of flat rice land from solar projects, aiming to balance energy expansion with food production. Aid & Resilience: FAO warns about 50 lakh people in Bangladesh needing emergency agri assistance as flooding and waterlogging hit resource-poor smallholders. On-Farm Innovation: College Group connected a €30m anaerobic digestion plant to Ireland’s gas grid, producing biomethane from farm and food waste. Food Safety & Policy: A U.S. lawsuit challenges EPA approval of the PFAS pesticide trifludimoxazin on widely eaten crops.

Farmland Policy: China passed a new farmland protection and quality-improvement law, tightening controls on arable land use and requiring farmland to be mainly used for grain and key farm outputs, with the rules starting Jan. 1, 2027. Food Security & Livestock: Iran hit chicken self-sufficiency, producing over 2 million tonnes of white meat against about 1.6 million tonnes of domestic use, despite war and drought pressures. Farm Inputs & Support: In Ghana’s Jaman North, NEIP CEO Eric Adjei distributed free fertiliser to help farmers cut costs and boost yields. Climate & Water Stress: Farmers in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris face a sharp tea leaf drop after a 55% monsoon rainfall deficit, while Nagapattinam growers want Tamil Nadu to delay Mettur dam water release to protect samba paddy irrigation. Harvest Impacts: Storm damage is already hitting Kentucky’s Graves County corn as harvest begins, with some fields affected up to 60%. Market & Trade Risks: Turkey is pushing talks to reopen safe Black Sea shipping routes as blocked grain flows and higher prices threaten global food supplies. Protests & Prices: Punjab farmers plan dharnas demanding MSP-linked procurement, loan waivers, and action on floods, groundwater decline, and pollution. Pests & Pollination: Australia warns bee health is under threat after a second Varroa mite incursion, raising fears for pollination and food security.

El Niño & drought planning: The Philippines’ agriculture department ordered agencies to keep revising El Niño response plans as drought risk threatens domestic crops and food prices. Water stress: Arizona’s Colorado River uncertainty is forcing towns and farmers to rethink crop choices and backup supplies, while New Zealand’s Northland faces a drier spring forecast that could pressure water users and ecosystems. Farm credit: Bangladesh cut the rate on its Tk 10,000 crore farm refinance scheme to 7% for farmers to improve access to low-cost loans. Worker safety: A report warns extreme heat can increase pesticide exposure risks for farm workers, as vapour concentrations rise. Food supply & markets: Georgia shoppers are turning to farmers markets after a Cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled Mexican iceberg lettuce. Ag tech in production: Malaysia’s shrimp project is moving toward AI monitoring to track water, oxygen, temperature and feeding more precisely. Global crop shifts: Vietnam’s Central Highlands is rapidly expanding durian as farmers chase surging Chinese demand, with some switching from coffee for higher returns. Labour impacts: Washington’s Borton & Sons plans layoffs of 928 seasonal farmworkers as harvest winds down.

Climate & Drought Watch: Britain’s NFU says farmers are at a financial crisis point after the worst drought in 50 years, warning that without a Keep Britain Growing interest-free loan and support for bluetongue-hit livestock, next year’s food production and farm livelihoods are at risk. Insurance & Risk Tools: India’s PMFBY crop insurance keeps expanding, with coverage now reaching 25 states/UTs and claims paid at scale, as officials push digital claims processing to speed payouts. El Niño Planning: Zimbabwe is bracing for a hotter, drier 2026/27 season, urging farmers to shift to drought-tolerant and short-season crops and to use climate-smart seed varieties. Water Stress & Food Security: Nevada’s lawsuit over the shrinking Colorado River highlights how water cuts could hit farming and local economies, even as drought plans move forward. Market Shifts in Asia: Vietnam’s Central Highlands is rapidly switching from coffee to durian to cash in on surging Chinese demand, with durian acreage soaring over the past decade. Post-Harvest & Losses: South Africa’s food waste problem is tied to weak cold-chain and handling, with fresh produce losses rising in hot, humid seasons. Right to Repair: Farmers are being notified about a John Deere settlement tied to repair access, a dispute that could affect equipment downtime during planting and harvest. Flood Impacts: In the Philippines, Bayambang declared a state of calamity after storms and monsoon rains damaged rice and other crops, with losses topping P31 million.

Food Security & Local Procurement: Second Harvest in Knoxville welcomed former Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack to help distribute food and work with a farm partner as part of its “Harvesting Hope” push to buy produce from local growers. Water & Drought Risk: Cities and farmers across the U.S. West are bracing for uncertainty from a new Colorado River plan that could force major cuts, with Nevada suing over potential unmet needs. Crop Choices Under Pressure: Punjab’s kharif data shows rice now covers over 92% of cultivation, squeezing out non-paddy crops. Farm Finance & Payments: Zambia’s Food Reserve Agency says it has paid over K6 billion to maize suppliers and is expanding storage to handle growing volumes. Ag Innovation: A Bangladesh university student built an AI crop recommendation system using soil and weather data, tested at a BADC nursery with high accuracy. Livestock & Biosecurity: In India, investigators are collecting organs and samples after mysterious buffalo deaths, sending materials for further lab work. Harvest Timing Shifts: Lodi’s grape harvest is arriving about two weeks early, driven by warm weather and a light crop. Value-Chain Development: NABARD-backed a citronella distillery in Nagaland to link cultivation, harvesting, processing, and marketing for local farmers. Solar on Farms: Oregon research found lambs gained nearly the same weight under solar panels as in open pasture, despite lower grass under the array.

Drought Pressure on Crops: A Shiv Sena MP in Maharashtra urged a crop survey and financial aid for Marathwada farmers after a 45-day rainfall shortfall left soybean fields drying up. Water & Food Chain Stress: Serbia’s Danube side channels are shrinking into ponds, threatening fish survival and hitting the wider fish industry as drought and heat intensify across the region. Onion Supply Squeeze: Pune onion prices jumped as arrivals at the wholesale market fell sharply—traders blame April rains that damaged crops and delays in the kharif supply. Farm Pollution Scrutiny: South Carolina’s sewage sludge use on fields is under renewed review as a Yale scientist maps PFAS “forever chemical” hot spots and potential risks to nearby wells, streams, livestock and crops. Cover Crops for Pest Control: A Penn State study found cover crop choices can change plant defenses and insect behavior, with pea-based cover crops boosting predator preference for caterpillars. School Meals Link to Farmers: USDA and HHS launched a push to connect local farmers with schools and upgrade school kitchens under the “Harvest to Hallways” effort. Local Roads, Real Impact: In Jamaica’s St Elizabeth, a $50m farm road upgrade is improving access for growers and even helping children reach school.

Drought Pressure: Minnesota’s Ag Commissioner warns dry conditions are already cutting yields, with the next two weeks critical as drought spreads across much of the state. El Niño Watch: A stronger-than-expected El Niño is raising odds of a warmer fall/winter in Wisconsin, while grain and feed markets react to shifting weather risks. Feed Supply Matching: Ireland’s ICMSA is pairing farmers with fodder surpluses to those facing deficits as winter nears, but transport costs remain a major barrier. Organic Supply Chain: A new organic innovation group (OBLIG) is set to connect hill sheep and finishing farmers with processors to keep more organic animals in the premium market. Spray Tech: Magnet-based conditioning is being marketed as a way to reduce spray drift and improve canopy coverage, with claims of better results and lower water/chemistry use. Biofuels Policy Uncertainty: U.S. farmers are questioning the Trump administration’s biofuels direction as small refinery exemptions could disrupt demand and planning. Market Signals: Grain contract highs are being linked to drought and Black Sea conflict, pushing producers to consider advancing sales. Farm-to-Fork & Local Food: Vermont’s Farm to Plate plan and Iowa’s Harvest to Hallways initiative both aim to boost local farm income and expand access to healthy school meals. Climate Resilience Debate: A Reuters study challenges the “robusta is more climate-resilient” narrative, calling it an “internet myth” tied to flawed assumptions.

Drought Pressure on Farms in Europe: Record-low river levels are disrupting crops, shipping, and even power cooling across Europe as heat and dry conditions bite. Hurricane Recovery in Hawaii: Hurricane Lala left Hawaii Island farmers scrambling after water lines were destroyed, with crop losses reported for growers in Pahala and Kaʻu. Water Crisis in Puerto Rico: The US declared drought disasters in 26 Puerto Rico municipalities, unlocking emergency loans as avocados, plantains, bananas, coffee, and cacao suffer and livestock face feed shortages. Fertilizer Access in Malawi: Press Cane Limited says it has started producing organic fertiliser in Chikwawa, aiming to reach the 2026 season and cut reliance on imports. Food Prices Watch in South Africa: El Niño risk is raising alarms that a weaker 2026/27 summer harvest could push staple prices higher. Farm Support in India: Assam announced low-interest loans and subsidies for agri-entrepreneurs and FPOs by combining the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund with PMFME incentives. Livestock & Breeding News: Michigan launched a dairy grazing initiative to help small and mid-sized dairies cut input costs, while India officially registered Nagal pig as a distinct indigenous breed. Harvest & Market Moves: Greece and Cyprus are promoting kiwifruit and Halloumi in Miami via an EU export campaign, and Iowa launched “Honor Harvest” to connect rural veterans with fresh local food from Choose Iowa members.