AGP Executive Report

USDA & Markets: USDA’s September WASDE cut U.S. corn yield to 178.5 bushels/acre and tightened carryout, but traders said the changes fell short of what markets expected, leaving prices pressured. Food Safety: Vermont’s Leaping Bear Farm recalled eggs after Salmonella was found in eggs and environmental samples; officials linked 14 illnesses and said affected cartons run June 1–Sept. 5. Tech for Indoor Farming: Canada’s SmartGRO Bioengineering won nearly $895K to test AI-controlled, ultra-fast pulsing LED lighting aimed at cutting greenhouse electricity use while maintaining yields. Livestock & Trade: Canada regained market access for beef exports to the Dominican Republic after an audit cleared Canada’s BSE-related inspection controls. Climate & Water Stress: Kandahar, Afghanistan says drought and climate change put 30% of orchards at risk, pushing plans for water-retaining dams and drip irrigation. Policy & Data Modernization: USDA CIO Sam Berry is moving to implement “One Farmer, One File,” a centralized farmer record effort expected to finish in 2028. Disaster Relief (Food Assistance): After Hurricane Lowell, Kauaʻi SNAP households may get automatic replacement of 60% of benefits tied to storm-related power outages.

Weather Disruption: Japan’s heavy rain has damaged 226 farm waterways, roads and facilities across 17 prefectures, while Laos warns of continued downpours that could trigger flash floods and landslides. Livestock Traceability: Kenya’s Isiolo launched an electronic livestock identification and traceability system (Anitrac) to meet stricter market requirements and curb theft. Agri-Finance & Digital Tools: Ghana’s DBG-backed “Boa Mi” AI platform delivers agronomic advice and links farmers to financing via WhatsApp; Pakistan also unveiled a plan to digitise farmers and land records through “Digital Farmers’ Diary-AgriStack.” Value Addition & Exports: Ghana moves to tomato self-sufficiency via GHATSI, aiming to cut imports and build a year-round value chain; BRICS talks pushed linking payment systems and expanding local-currency trade to reduce supply-chain friction. Irrigation Investment: Slovakia allocated €34.8m to expand and modernise irrigation and water-retention measures. Research & Sustainability: Scientists are exploring plastic-to-fertiliser polymers, and a study suggests strawberry leaf extract could help control citrus post-harvest fungal diseases. Market Watch: Traders are bracing for Friday’s USDA supply-and-demand report for corn and soybeans, with yield and ending-stock expectations in focus.

Value-Chain Push: Zimbabwe’s President Mnangagwa urged more local industrialists and partnerships to move beyond exporting raw materials, tying the push to mineral beneficiation and jobs. US Forest Biosecurity: USDA deregulated a blight-resistant American chestnut (“Darling 54”), reviving hopes for restoring Eastern forests, though debate remains on readiness. Collaborative Dairy: Ireland’s Teagasc launched the GROdairy programme, using nine demo farms to help farmers explore collaborative arrangements and succession. Farmland Protection: New York’s Oswego County advanced a grant programme aimed at permanently protecting viable farmland from conversion. Food Safety Shock: After a raw sewage spill into the Arkansas River, La Junta reported E. coli levels over triple the safe swimming standard, while officials say drinking water wasn’t affected. Livestock Modernisation: Nigeria moves to end uncontrolled slaughter, pushing feedlots and modern abattoirs to support traceable meat for export. Climate Risk Planning: Kenya launched an El Niño preparedness plan focused on protecting livestock and preventing disease in high-risk counties. Water Resilience: UK farming coverage highlights shifting from “water as a given” to investing in infrastructure, storage, and smarter management. Tech in Rice: Philippines’ Sampaguita Twin’s upgraded rice milling and storage to cut weather dependence and better use by-products. Farm Economics: USDA forecasts modest 2026 US farm income growth, with inflation and higher expenses squeezing real returns.

U.S. Farm Finances Under Strain: USDA’s September forecast points to 2026 net farm income of $158.4B, down in real terms as production expenses—fuel, fertilizer and livestock purchases—rise, while direct government payments and debt also climb. AI for Farming and Aquaculture: China touts homegrown advanced machinery and self-driving tractor progress; Taiwan’s Smart Agriweek spotlights AI in aquaculture and livestock; and a new CAU–University of Surrey institute launches an “AI + agriculture” track for 180 students. Water-Energy Tension from AI Infrastructure: A planned 1GW data center in Brazil’s Paracatu area has sparked backlash over potential impacts on fragile Cerrado springs and local water conflicts. Agri-PV Push in India: SECI seeks 20 acres in Delhi for 27-year agri-solar leases, tying solar generation to farmland and canal/drain plans. Food Security Pressure in Ireland: A report warns 83% of fruit and veg consumed is imported and grower numbers have collapsed, raising climate and supply-chain risk. Sustainability Finance in Europe: EIF backs Nordic Foodtech VC with up to €30M to scale early agrifood deeptech. On-Farm Energy Adoption in Ireland: A Clare dairy farm installs 63 solar panels plus battery storage to cut costs and improve resilience. Regenerative Farming Trend: An AP feature highlights regenerative, low-chemical farming in Minnesota driven by both climate concerns and “spiritual” motivations. Agriculture Education and Capacity Building: MSU completes a major tri-lab facility for wool, veterinary diagnostics and analytical testing, while Georgia names a new agriculture foundation executive director. EU Output Price Divergence: Eurostat shows Cyprus output prices up 3.5% YoY while many EU countries see declines, with input prices rising everywhere.

Disaster Update (Philippines): Tropical cyclones and the southwest monsoon have left about PHP12.4bn in damage, with agriculture hit at roughly PHP4.1bn across multiple regions; nearly 92,868 people and about 80,275 hectares of crops were affected, and while 56,787 hectares may recover, 23,488 hectares face little chance. Trade & Tech (Qatar–Guyana): Qatar and Guyana signed an MoU to boost cooperation in crops, livestock and fisheries, with a focus on modern agricultural technologies, training, and food security supply chains. Agri Tourism Innovation (China): Heilongjiang’s Fujin rice paddies are being turned into giant QR-code “crop canvases” using GPS and 3D layout methods, drawing visitors and adding income. Livestock & Exports (Namibia): Namibia’s Agriculture Minister visited Meatco’s Windhoek abattoir to assess slaughter capacity and readiness for new export demand, noting full-capacity operations and improved traceability. Water Policy (Iowa, US): Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig pushed back on a “blame game” over water quality, urging science-based upstream and downstream solutions. Regional Cooperation (ASEAN–India): Malaysia’s Mohamad Sabu attended the ASEAN–India agriculture ministerial meeting, calling for stronger R&D, technology transfer, investment and value-chain links. Irish Farm Future (Editorial): Ireland’s generational renewal gap remains stark, with the average farmer age at 59 and only a small share under 35, raising concerns for innovation and climate adaptation. Livestock Genetics (Northern Ireland): DAERA’s genomic testing is moving toward faster monthly reimbursements, while bluetongue surveillance continues as BTV-3 cases rise across Britain. Rural Safety (Ireland): Rural contractors warn drug use among young farmers is escalating, with concerns that drug money is being invested in machinery. Drought Relief (Wales): RABI is offering £400,000 in emergency drought grants for eligible farm households, with applications opening Sept. 14.

Disaster Relief: The Philippines’ agriculture damage from habagat and cyclones Luis, Maymay, Neneng and Pilandok is estimated at about PHP4.1bn, hitting 92,868 farmers and fisherfolk across multiple regions, with 80,275 hectares affected (some 56,787ha recoverable). Farm Finance & Inputs: The Philippines is also set to distribute PHP6.2bn in fertilizer and fuel aid under UPLIFT, while seeking an extra PHP10bn for 2027 as El Niño impacts build. Fertilizer & Partnerships: Malaysia’s NAFAS says MAHA 2026 sales hit RM2.02m (685% above target) and signed deals totaling RM1.977bn, including a major phosphate fertilizer collaboration. Ag Tech & Operations: Canada’s Cleanfarms appoints Davin Johnson as Director of Western Canada to expand ag-plastic and stewardship programs. Machinery Localization: Kazakhstan plans phased assembly of Sonalika/Solis tractors via a USD 120m deal with India’s International Tractors Limited. Food & Learning: Louisiana’s Farm to School Month returns with a winter squash challenge, “You’ve Gourd to Try It,” pushing growing and tasting in classrooms. Risk & Weather: Saskatchewan harvest is slowing again due to rain, raising grain storage and sprouting/downgrading concerns.

Weather shocks & recovery: The Philippines’ DA says habagat and cyclones Luis, Maymay, Neneng and Pilandok damaged P4.38bn of farm output, hitting 99,663 farmers and fisherfolk across multiple regions, with rice the biggest share of losses. Food-price pressure: FAO reports August global food prices at the highest since late 2022, warning that a “risk premium” is back as climate shocks and conflict disrupt staples supply. Biosecurity & animal health tech: Solomon Islands launches a 10-year National Biosecurity Strategy to strengthen prevention and response, while Trinidad and Tobago rolls out a FAO-backed smartphone system to speed animal disease reporting. Policy & market support: The IRS issues guidance for the U.S. 45Z Clean Fuels Production Tax Credit to help farmers and ranchers tap domestic biofuels; USDA also plans Section 32 purchases of surplus shrimp for schools and food banks. Farm resilience & risk tools: Ireland’s climate council urges a new farm-level climate-risk tool and more targeted support as rainfall swings intensify. Agri trade & logistics: Telangana seeks bigger rice exports to the Philippines, and Serbia and Uzbekistan sign deals spanning transport, energy, agriculture and digitalization. Digital adoption gap: An IFAC report finds 80% of food and agribusiness firms use AI, but nearly half lack governance.

Solar for Farms in India: Torrent Green Energy commissioned 322 MWp of feeder-level solar projects across Nashik, Maharashtra, under PM-KUSUM/MSKVY 2.0, supplying power to MSEDCL via 25-year PPAs and aiming to cut distribution losses while powering rural agriculture. Water-Smart Irrigation in Spain: Spain is investing over €22m to modernize Librilla’s irrigation, using regenerated and desalinated water plus pressurization and renewables to support citrus growers and about 2,200 residents. Olive Oil Ownership Pressure: Dcoop is urging Spain to step in during Deoleo’s sale process so the company stays Spanish and Andalusian as bidding heats up. Trade Shock for Ag: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on US goods—including dairy and farm equipment—take effect as the US-Canada standoff escalates, raising costs and uncertainty for American producers. South Africa–China Market Win: South Africa’s cherry protocol with China is signed, opening a major export channel and supporting jobs, with blueberries talks also advancing. Livestock Value-Chain Push: African ministers backed regional livestock value chains at AU-IBAR/ILRI’s Africa Food Systems Forum, focusing on investment and trade. Farm Safety & Stress: Harvest-season road safety reminders target rural drivers, while a UK farming choir’s BGT win is channeling £50,000 to mental health charities. Climate Strain on Crops: Wildfire smoke is disrupting Quincy Valley farming, affecting hay drying, apple color, and harvest schedules.

Trade & Markets: Rabobank says China’s “safeguard quota” for Australian beef hit mid-June, cutting Australian beef exports to China 71% month-on-month, while producers kept slaughter volumes steady and redirected supply to Japan, South Korea and the US. Prices & Weather: Cocoa prices rose for a sixth straight month as El Niño-linked harvest worries eased in West Africa, while wheat, corn, soybeans, rice, sugar and cotton also moved on geopolitics and drought/monsoon swings. Food Safety: The US USDA issued Class I recalls for imported Italian ready-to-eat pork guanciale due to possible Listeria contamination, with no illnesses reported so far. Regional Integration: Zimbabwe is set to assume COMESA chairmanship in October, positioning regional trade and self-sufficiency as priorities. Ag Tech & Farming Skills: Fiji Sugar Corporation is rolling out spray drones for cane management, and Nigeria’s mechanisation training is graduating new tractor operators to boost productivity. Policy & Land Use: Iraq’s Baghdad officials face calls to halt demolition of homes on agricultural land as urban expansion disputes intensify.

Water Security & Resilience: Israel’s desalination system was hit by an unprecedented microalgae bloom that temporarily shut down five of six plants, but farmers in peripheral areas kept irrigation running thanks to a network of 250 philanthropic reservoirs, including the Ktziot Water Reservoir. US Water Stress: A new USGS report shows the Ogallala Aquifer is still being drained faster than it recharges, with withdrawals far exceeding inflows from 1998-2022. Livestock Policy: Canada released initial 2026 Livestock Tax Deferral regions, letting producers defer income from forced breeding-herd sales when drought, excess moisture, or flooding create forage shortages (with a 15% herd-reduction requirement). Agribusiness & Trade: The EU is weighing the Danube corridor as an alternative route for Ukrainian agricultural exports amid Black Sea shipping disruptions from Russian attacks. Farm Risk & Oversight: South Africa’s FMD vaccine pricing allegations are under scrutiny after the agriculture minister suspended an OBP executive, as farmers face the country’s largest outbreak in history. Innovation & Skills: India’s agriculture ministry reviewed plans to upgrade 300 Krishi Vigyan Kendras by March 2027 and add incubation-cum-skill centres in every KVK by December 2028. Regional Ag Growth: Malaysia’s MAHA 2026 ended with 5M+ visitors and RM10.35B+ in MoUs, with China accounting for nearly a third and deals spanning smart farming, fertilisers, seafood and tropical fruits.

Pest Crisis: Passi City in the Philippines has declared a state of calamity after red-striped soft scale insects spread across about 3,338 hectares of sugarcane, threatening the livelihoods of more than 8,000 farmers and workers as the infestation keeps expanding. Digital Trade & Vet Services: Qatar’s Oun app is getting a major boost with 38 new e-services, including online import permits and export veterinary health certificates covering animal products, live animals, and feed-related items. Animal Health Watch: South Africa’s Nelson Mandela Bay faces fresh foot-and-mouth disease spread into Walmer Township, raising fears for the wider dairy industry if movement controls fail. Climate-Smart Finance: A carbon farming case in Australia’s southern NSW shows soil carbon projects tied to managed grazing improving pasture health and creating extra income opportunities. Food Security & Crops: Iraq’s Diyala province expects date production to hit about 150,000 tonnes in 2026, with new Barhi and Medjool plantings and more than 60,000 offshoots planted so far. Agribusiness Funding: IFAD and AgDevCo signed a $10m loan to close financing gaps for early-stage African agribusinesses, aiming to scale productivity and market access. Market Pressure: New Zealand’s seed and feed sector leaders warn arable farmers struggle to compete against cheaper palm kernel feed imports, despite local production capacity. Livestock Vet Access: Ethiopia’s West Shewa Zone reports broken veterinary service delivery, with clinics lacking basic tools and unregulated drug sellers undermining animal health outcomes.

Budget Signals for Farmers: Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim hinted the agriculture ministry’s Budget 2027 allocation could rise after strong performance, as MAHA 2026 wrapped with 5M+ visitors, RM66.88m in sales, and MoUs tied to about RM10.3b in potential investment. Trade Pressure on Honey: Canadian beekeepers warned that 50% U.S. tariffs are leaving surplus honey stuck at home, threatening long-term producer income despite a pre-deadline shipping surge. Labor Rights for Farm Workers: U.S. Rep. Adelita S. Grijalva introduced the Fairness for Farm Workers Act to expand overtime protections and narrow exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Pest Control Funding: Ohio opened grants up to $15,000 (with a 10% match) to fight spotted lanternfly and tree-of-heaven host plants. Food Safety Alarm: A new U.S. report says dangerous salmonella strains in poultry are increasing and becoming more antibiotic-resistant. Water Access Bottleneck: In Jordan’s Madaba, a paved road blocked a planned water network installation, leaving 40+ families without connections despite funding. Aquaculture Boost: Iraq’s Nineveh released 400,000 carp fingerlings into the Tigris to rebuild fish stocks and support livelihoods.

Global Food Prices: FAO says world food prices hit a new four-year high in August, with cereal, sugar and vegetable oil rising amid weather shocks and shipping disruptions. Trade & Policy Pressure: Canada’s agriculture is still stuck after the Canada-U.S. trade deal collapse, and panellists warn U.S. midterm politics won’t quickly fix tariff uncertainty. Farm Inputs & Regulation: Pakistan’s new National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) is set to modernize pesticide rules with digital, risk-based oversight to support safer trade and exports. Regional Seed Security: Zimbabwe’s COMESA chairmanship could push a coordinated seed system across Eastern and Southern Africa, aiming to close the big gap in access to quality improved seed. Conservation Agriculture: Zimbabwe’s Pfumvudza/Intwasa highlights permanent planting plots as a way to boost yields, conserve moisture and build resilient soils. Livestock & Youth: Nigeria’s livestock ministry says it’s rebranding the sector with tech and modern value chains to attract young people. Safety & Disruption: A tractor crash in Brentwood killed a woman; in Balochistan, gunmen killed three guards at an agricultural property. Security & Markets: Yemen launched school-based ag and afforestation projects, while Iraq announced wheat and dates self-sufficiency for 2026. Agritech & Market Access: Malaysia plans an agrifood “sandbox” to align rules for new business models, including AI-enabled meat ordering via WhatsApp.

Global Food Prices: The UN FAO says global food prices rose 1.9% in August to the highest level since late 2022, driven by extreme weather and war-related trade disruptions. Market Access for Exporters: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture says Saba (Cardava) bananas are set for new international markets after supply and purchase deals signed at Asia Fruit Logistica Hong Kong, including shipments to Saudi Arabia and distribution links for Hong Kong and New Zealand. Farm Risk Protection: India’s Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is highlighted as a major crop-insurance safety net, with millions of farmers insured and large claim payouts reported over the program’s decade-plus run. Biosecurity Watch: Ireland confirmed a bluetongue case in a Wexford cattle herd, underscoring the need for farmers to report unexplained deaths. Water and Resilience: England’s drought coverage is expanding, with growers urging water storage to be treated as strategic infrastructure for food security. Input Safety: Nigeria’s Kano consumer watchdog seized 419 cartons of expired agrochemicals, alleging attempts to reintroduce them into the market. Extension and Skills: Kenya is looking to revive agricultural extension by partnering with universities and drawing lessons from the US.

Water Security: Israel says its water sector is “fully stable” after a 24-hour assessment, with desalination and Sea of Galilee flows keeping supplies to residents and agriculture normal, while drinking water is deemed safe. Seed Systems: Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture has inaugurated a new National Seed Council team to boost certified seed access, cut import dependence, and raise adoption of improved varieties. Drought-Driven Prices: Jamaica’s markets warn of rising produce costs as drought reduces supply, pushing items like lettuce and sweet peppers higher. Livestock Health & Vaccines: Bangladesh launches a domestically developed Lumpy Skin Disease vaccine campaign to reduce cattle losses and lower farmer costs. Workforce & Farm Labor: U.S. House Ag leaders push the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (SAWA) to modernize H-2A, aiming to prevent farm labor gaps from turning into food insecurity. Policy Pressure on Ranchers: Nebraska’s agriculture leadership highlights concerns over beef import plans and trade uncertainty as producers seek market stability. Irrigation Build-Out: Jamaica’s Essex Valley irrigation project nears completion, with water deliveries expected for farmers by late September. Co-op Market Linkages: Vietnam targets linking at least half of agricultural cooperatives with enterprises by 2030 to strengthen supply chains and boost farm exports.

Digital AgTech Push (Malaysia): MDEC was named the National Strategic Digital Technology Validator for KPKM’s Digital AgTech Programme, aiming to scale AI and smart farming via i-AGRI, BidFresh and Agrovator@Sekolah. Food Security & Prices: FAO says world food prices hit their highest since late 2022 as heat, drought and Black Sea disruptions lift grain and sugar costs. Rural Infrastructure (Nigeria): Sokoto flagged off the N12.708bn Kware–Gidan Madi road under the World Bank-backed RAAMP to improve market access for farmers. Agriculture Finance (Rwanda): GAFSP announced a second allocation using its business investment tool, mobilizing $21m to support Rwanda smallholders through farmers’ organizations financing. Soil Health (Africa): Industry leaders at AFSF warn soil degradation is widespread and call for better fertiliser use and sustainable soil management. Trade & Tariffs (Canada/US): Manitoba Pork welcomed $100m+ tariff supports to boost hog finishing and value-added processing at home. Biosecurity & Disease: Georgia confirmed a new invasive pasture mealybug and is investigating a donkey death case amid heightened scrutiny. Agri Risk (US/Global): A study links intensive farming practices to higher chances of antibiotic-resistant pathogens spreading from soil to humans.