AGP Executive Report

Weather & Losses: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture says monsoon and Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng pushed farm losses to P3.39B, up from P2.84B the day before, affecting rice, corn, cassava, high-value crops, fisheries, livestock and ag-fisheries infrastructure. Water-Quality Policy: Iowa’s Greater Des Moines Watershed program has enrolled over 300,000 acres of cover crops in state cost-share, with statewide enrollment topping 1 million acres; sign-ups run until Sept. 9. Beef Trade Pressure: U.S. farm groups are urging reversal of Trump’s beef import plan that would temporarily remove tariffs on 300,000 metric tons of lean beef trimmings, warning it could hit ranchers’ bottom lines. EU Import Rule: The EU’s suspension of Brazilian meat imports over antibiotic protocol failures takes effect Sept. 3, with Brazil a major supplier for both beef and chicken. Ag Tech & Data: Canada will fund the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network with $50M to boost adoption of productivity and sustainability tools. Farm Finance: A Philippine bill approved on final reading would condone unpaid interests and restructure certain agricultural loans to restore farmers’ creditworthiness. Land, Gender & Access: Nigeria’s push for women farmers centers on land-rights reform, credit products that don’t require land collateral, and better extension and rural infrastructure. Corruption Probe: Kuwait prosecutors referred 71 defendants over alleged manipulation of agricultural holdings and usufruct rights, citing bribery, document forgery and money laundering.

Fisheries Tech Push (Philippines): DA-BFAR will co-host the Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technologies Conference in Cebu (Sept. 8-10), spotlighting digital tools like I-FIT GIS/FGIS for traceability, risk assessment, and anti-IUU enforcement. Aquaculture Standards (Malaysia): Malaysia’s fisheries department launched new Good Aquaculture Practice codes for giant freshwater prawns, marine-fish ponds, and freshwater-fish cages, plus an antimicrobial resistance awareness kit. Smart Farming Funding (Malaysia): Perak is urging next year’s budget to back its Smart Agriculture Development Programme, targeting smart-farm areas, matching grants, and tech such as smart irrigation and controlled-environment farming. Climate Risk Warning (South Africa): South Africa’s agriculture department issued guidance for El Niño, warning of lower summer rainfall, heat stress, pest/disease spread, and urging climate-smart risk reduction. Beef Herd Plan (US): USDA rolled out the Ranchers First Initiative to rebuild the cattle herd, adding risk management tools, disaster recovery flexibility, and a “BRAND” endorsement for keeping heifers for breeding. Input Cost Pressure (South Africa): A sharp fuel price jump is set to hit the new planting season, with El Niño drought risk adding downside pressure. Organic Scheme Uncertainty (Ireland): Ireland’s organic farming scheme budget is fully allocated, raising concerns that new entrants may be shut out this year. Winter Wheat Update (Ireland): Ireland’s winter wheat variety list shows tight disease margins, with rust and septoria resistance driving which varieties stay recommended. Israel Water for Agriculture: Israel restored agricultural water after desalination disruptions tied to seawater turbidity, though some plants remain offline. Cattle Disease Alert (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe farmers are being urged to tackle lumpy skin disease as a vaccine push and local workshops aim to reduce herd losses.

Philippines Rice Security & Budget: The Philippines’ agriculture chief says rice supply is “quite secure” through end-2026 as harvest begins and imports continue, while the DA seeks a lower 2027 budget of P198.45B, citing normalization of farm-to-market road funding. Bioethanol Push: DA and Energy officials plan cheaper local feedstocks to raise the bioethanol blend from 10% to 15%, aiming to cut pump prices and import dependence. U.S. Beef Processing Tension: Tyson Foods disputes USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins’ claim that shuttered beef plants will be sold only to American-owned buyers, highlighting foreign-ownership and consolidation concerns. Data Modernization for Farmers: Rollins also unveiled a USDA plan to modernize agricultural data collection using satellites and AI to improve acreage and yield estimates while reducing reporting burdens. Food Security & Trade Controls: Iraq banned agricultural imports until the end of the domestic production season, and Qatar reiterated GCC efforts to strengthen food-security readiness, including strategic stockpiles. Disease & Biosecurity: Wisconsin added two more captive cervid facilities to CWD quarantine after detections, while U.S. border agents intercepted a potentially destructive straw crest moth at Detroit. Water for Irrigation: India’s Andhra Pradesh plans to release Godavari waters into the Polavaram Left Main Canal to boost irrigation across Uttarandhra. Local Policy for Poultry: Maryland eased nutrient-management permit cycles for qualifying no-land, pasture-only chicken farms, cutting administrative load. Agritech & Training: OSU tested a first-of-its-kind hemp harvest machine, and Venezuela inaugurated a youth agricultural training center focused on livestock diversification.

Beef Trade Shock (US): Trump’s tariff-free “discounted” beef imports begin, with critics warning about food-safety optics and market disruption for ranchers. Livestock Policy (US): USDA backs beef with loans for small processors and lets ranchers use conserved land for grazing after disasters. Dairy Health Watch (US): H5N1 reporting resumes after a quiet stretch, with new detections in dairy herds and commercial poultry. Cattle Supply (US): Wisconsin’s licensed dairy herd count falls below 5,000, showing how consolidation is reshaping production. El Niño Food Security (Tanzania): NFRA boosts storage and reserves as forecasts warn of flooding and disease risks. Agriculture & Water (Africa): AGRA chair Hailemariam Dessalegn urges scaling irrigation, especially renewable-powered systems, to cut poverty and improve diets. Farmers vs Weather (Canada): Alberta expands AgriStability access for producers hit by excessive moisture, while warning tariffs could add costs. Market Access (Malaysia): MAHA Trade Days draws heavy interest, with MoUs and visitor numbers signaling momentum for agri-food supply chains. Flood Risk (Philippines): DA reports major monsoon and cyclone farm losses and warns assessments are ongoing. Land Pressure (Philippines): Philippines DA is studying potential farmer impacts from the Pax Silica project in Capas, Tarlac. Inputs & Productivity (Bangladesh): BRRI distributes modern rice inputs in coastal Khulna to support yields amid salinity and waterlogging. Regional Food Systems (Global): A push grows for scaling what works beyond pilots, including social franchising to reach more smallholders.

Ukraine War Impacts Food Supply Chains: Kyiv says Russian strikes have destroyed about 90% of retailers’ food logistics, with occasional empty shelves reported after attacks on warehouse depots. U.S. Beef Policy Clash: Nebraska’s cattle producers are bracing for market disruption as USDA rolls out “Ranchers First” herd-rebuilding incentives while cattle groups urge Trump to reconsider a proposal allowing large volumes of lower-tariff imported beef. Biofuel Rules and Farmer Costs: The White House moves to reallocate additional 2025 small refinery exemptions to protect RFS biofuel markets, after biodiesel and farm groups warned of uncertainty. Grain Transport Watch: CN Rail reports strong early crop-year grain movement in Western Canada, supported by above-average carry-in stocks and export uncertainty from the Black Sea. Food Security Under El Niño: Oxfam warns El Niño is driving severe crop losses in Central America’s Dry Corridor, hitting corn and bean households and water access. Cold Storage Push (Philippines): The Philippines’ DA tenders three cold storage facilities worth P750m to cut postharvest losses and stabilize farmer incomes. Local Agriculture Education (U.S.): Idaho’s Grow Idaho brings students to farms to learn about zoning, soil, water, exports, and seed varieties. Invasive Species Control (Idaho): Idaho begins another targeted quagga mussel treatment on the Snake River near Twin Falls, with limited public access during work.

El Niño Response: The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture is updating plans as El Niño threatens drought-hit crops and food prices, including shifting production to less-affected areas, expanding cloud seeding and solar-powered irrigation, and improving water efficiency. Flood Damage & Relief: In the Philippines, monsoon rains and cyclones have triggered major agricultural losses—Oriental Mindoro reported P112M in damage and 52,642 people affected, while Pangasinan declared a state of calamity with early estimates of P649.23M in crop losses. Solar vs Food Land: The Philippines is proposing geofencing to protect about 3 million hectares of flat farmland from new solar projects, targeting up to 2,000 rice areas and coordinating with the energy ministry to avoid overlaps. EU Poultry Trade: Ukraine’s EU poultry exports are set to stabilize near a revised quota of 120,000 metric tons for 2026-27, with MHP expected to stay dominant as competition shifts. US Farm Services Under Strain: USDA staffing shortages are delaying loans, conservation help, and rural infrastructure support, with NRCS down sharply and local offices operating reduced schedules. Climate Aid for Farmers: France is preparing several hundred million euros in drought and heat compensation as crop and pasture losses mount across western Europe. Agri-Exports & Logistics: Ghana plans a 150-acre air cargo hub at Tamale to speed exports of vegetables and other high-value produce, linking farming, value addition, and logistics. Tech for Seeds: China’s Origin Agritech opened a Southwest R&D center in Guizhou, building a full-chain seed and biotech platform for the region. Rangelands & Drought Finance: At UNCCD COP17, Tanzania and other countries face pressure to restore rangelands and deliver drought support fast enough for pastoralists.

Heritage Protection: Philippines’ Cordillera technocrats want a new Cordillera Rice Terraces Commission to halt deterioration of World Heritage-listed terraces, after earlier bodies were dissolved and conservation shifted to Ifugao. Climate & Markets: El Niño-linked drought risk is expected to hit agro-stocks and commodity prices via lower output and tighter supplies. Tech for Farm Efficiency: USDA and Auburn University are collaborating on drone and AI research to improve scouting and delivery for crop operations. Food Safety & Waste: WSU scientist Kang Huang secured multiple USDA grants to cut microbial spoilage and reduce U.S. food waste, including new food-safe coatings. Soil & Water Resilience: A UK peat rewetting scheme uses “scallop bunds” and leaky dams to store water, protect wildlife, and reduce wildfire and flooding impacts. Policy & Funding: Bangladesh Bank cut rates on a Tk 3,000cr agro-refinance fund to support an agricultural economic hub. Food Systems Support: WFP and Sri Lanka’s ministry delivered Rs. 22m in equipment for home-grown school feeding in Nuwara Eliya. Supply Chain Infrastructure: Superior Ag opened a new 32,000-ton Ohio River fertilizer terminal to strengthen nutrient logistics for regional farmers. Conflict Impact: Ukraine’s Kherson region reports 17 farmer deaths and 70+ injuries since the war began, with machinery and crops repeatedly destroyed. Land & Livelihoods: Zimbabwe is relocating 806 families for the Lake Gwayi-Shangani project ahead of dam impounding, at an estimated US$28m. Trade & Exports: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia set a target to lift Pakistani agri and food exports to $3bn in two years, including rice and red meat. Farmer Wellbeing: Australia’s 2026 Norco Farmer Wellbeing report flags worsening stress, anxiety, and exhaustion, with many considering leaving farming.

Disaster Response: A Philippine municipality in Pangasinan declared a state of calamity after Tropical Storms “Luis” and “Maymay” and monsoon rains caused over P31.28m in farm losses, hitting 577 farmers across 615.79 hectares, led by rice. Animal Health & Safety: In Ghana, about 10 cattle died after a high-tension electricity cable fell into a stream and electrified the water, prompting calls to isolate and remove the hazard. Food Security: The USDA warns the Philippines could see 15.4m people facing food insecurity this year, even as longer-term forecasts improve. Fertiliser Governance: India is expanding its iFMS digital system to boost fertiliser supply visibility and tighten subsidy oversight, linking buyers and retailers through Aadhaar and adding dashboards for stock and movement monitoring. Policy Restructuring: Tanzania’s Parliament repealed the Pyrethrum Industry Act, dissolving the Pyrethrum Board and shifting its functions to COPRA. Livestock & Land Use: Myanmar’s president ordered strict oversight of land allocated for farming and livestock zones to prevent diversion and ensure supply of feed, water, power, and breeds. Innovation & Circular Ag: Malaysia launched pineapple-based products—Pinasweet and LiqoFas—turning pineapple waste into a low-GI sweetener and liquid organic fertiliser. Trade & Tech: India and Chile moved to finalize CEPA by year-end, while Punjab’s AI push drew interest from Alibaba Cloud, including AI for agriculture and public services. Climate Risk: Nepal’s flash floods tied to glacier collapse are raising downstream alarm across the Himalayas, with rescue efforts still searching for survivors.

Food Security Watch: The USDA warns the Philippines could hit 15.4 million people facing food insecurity this year, even as a longer-term outlook improves, while Indonesia tops the regional list with 32.1 million. Climate & Markets: Barclays says the next commodity shock may be forming as El Niño strengthens, with forecasts pointing to a potentially stronger-than-2015-16 event that could disrupt agriculture and other key inputs. Farm Resilience: Zimbabwe is pushing solar-powered irrigation to keep food production going as El Niño risk rises. Agritech & Smallholders: A Kadavu farmer in Fiji built an online platform to connect farmers with buyers and services, aiming to represent the Pacific in China. Policy & Subsidies: Egypt’s agriculture and petroleum ministries deny any cut to subsidised fertiliser quotas, reaffirming a 2.4m-tonne allocation. Trade & Data: Fiji’s agriculture ministry wants better tracking of imported food that is processed locally and then re-exported. Pests & Risk: Saskatchewan reports high flea beetle numbers heading into winter, with adults building reserves. Youth & Education: New York State Fair opens a new FFA building to expand agricultural education and training.

Food Security Under Fire: Ukraine’s agriculture minister says Russian strikes destroyed about 90% of the country’s food storage and winter is coming, threatening grain, seeds and supplies that keep civilians fed and exports alive. Pest Control Funding: Spain’s Comunitat Valenciana will spend €11m to fight fruit fly with sterile-male releases, drone and ground treatments, mass trapping and weekly monitoring across 140,000+ hectares. Trade Access Push: India and Argentina agreed to improve market access for Indian pharma and farm products, including onions, milk, grapes, potatoes, bananas and pulses, as bilateral trade tops $6.5bn. Agribusiness Finance: Malaysia’s PKPS and Agrobank signed a RM200m trade facility to strengthen food supply chains, including a halal food warehouse buffer stock. Climate & Water Pressure: New research warns drylands are expanding fast and freshwater shortages could reshape agriculture and communities. Farm Tech & Inputs: Kenya’s KALRO researchers are developing improved feeds and pastures to raise cattle quality and weight for better prices. Local Production Boost: Mizoram plans to scale ginger cultivation after being named “Ginger Capital of India,” alongside efforts to expand other crops and edible oil processing. Fraud Alert: Ireland’s DAFM warns farmers about scam texts asking for banking details. Agriculture Jobs Plan: Tanzania says agriculture (plus livestock and forestry) is set to generate 55.1% of a planned 8.5m jobs over five years.

Producer Prices Watch (Philippines): The agriculture producer price index fell 11.7% in Q2 2026 as Middle East-linked input costs and a stronger U.S. dollar lifted expenses, with livestock and poultry hit hardest. Pest & Biosecurity (Georgia): Georgia confirmed pasture mealybug for the first time, warning of rapid spread through equipment and grass/hay damage. Disaster Support (U.S.): USDA is offering drought and wildfire recovery help for Skagit County producers, including livestock and tree assistance programs. Policy & Labor (U.S. H-2A): A California court ordered the DOL to redo the adverse effect wage rate method, raising uncertainty for farm employers and workers. Trade Pressure (Canada/Manitoba): Manitoba unveiled $103M in tariff-related supports, expanding loan guarantees and risk tools for farmers and agri-businesses. Market Signals (U.S.): Cattle futures slid to end the week, with drought forcing earlier sales. Agri-Value Push (Zimbabwe): President Mnangagwa used the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show to argue for moving beyond raw exports toward local agro-processing. Beekeeping Aid (Virginia): VDACS is offering free beehive equipment (bees not included) to boost managed colonies and pollination.

Disaster Response: The Philippines’ DA says storm damage from Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng plus the southwest monsoon has hit P2.32B, affecting 69,615 farmers and fishers across eight regions, with rice taking the biggest share. Fertilizer Trade: Nepal’s government will buy 25,000 MT of DAP from India via a government-to-government route. Climate & Land Use: Ireland’s bioeconomy plan calls for major herd cuts, peat rewetting and faster forestry expansion to reach 2050 climate goals. Drought & Water Stress: Severe drought has expanded across southeast Colorado and the Arkansas Valley, with snowpack near zero and reservoir deficits emerging. Invasive Pests: Minnesota reports emerald ash borer now in about 60 counties, with tree deaths rising and biological controls underway. Food & Input Costs: Canada warns lunchbox staples may get pricier this fall, while Ghana’s new excise law could raise beer prices and squeeze cassava, maize and sorghum farmers. Agribusiness & Policy: Cameroon cocoa export earnings plunged 63% in 2025-26; Cyprus is considering a €610M livestock overhaul after foot-and-mouth exposed weaknesses. Regional Markets: Bangladesh will import 480,000 tonnes of potash from Canada (with an option for more). Agriculture Events: PNG’s Agriculture and Trade Festival in Goroka brings farmers, processors and government together to push market access.

Storm Damage Update (Philippines): The Department of Agriculture says monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng have pushed agricultural losses to P2.32B, up from P1.91B earlier, affecting 69,615 farmers and fishers across eight regions and damaging 60,896 metric tons over 62,732 hectares—with rice the biggest share. Biological Pest Control (Philippines): In Negros, DA lab work is assessing lacewing larvae as a natural control for red-striped soft scale insects in sugarcane, with mass production planned later this year. Harvest Progress (Canada): Saskatchewan reports harvest at 11%, improving week to week but still far behind long-term averages, with weather and crop disease pressures cited. Water-Saving Irrigation Loans (Kyrgyzstan): Farmers can access 2% preferential loans (up to seven years) for drip irrigation, backed by 200 million soms. Cutting Middlemen (Philippines): President Marcos highlights a cooperative model in Batangas that uses government support to process eggs and reduce waste. Beef Trade Tension (US): Texas ranch groups and officials criticize Trump’s plan to allow 300,000 tons of ground beef imports without out-of-quota tariffs, warning it won’t fix the cattle sector. SNAP Food Rules Delayed (US): South Carolina will delay its Healthy Food SC SNAP restriction program to Nov. 1, as legal reviews continue. Biosecurity Reminder (US): South Dakota urges people to watch for harmful algal blooms and “When in Doubt, Stay Out!” Dairy Push (Philippines): Bohol’s dairy festival spotlights growth to about 420,000 liters annually and calls on youth to enter dairy farming. Rural Tech & Farming (Global): Zimbabwe’s land-tenure reform push urges lessons from China on secure, transferable titles to unlock investment in agriculture.

Storm Damage Update (Philippines): The Department of Agriculture says enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng have pushed agri losses to P2.32bn, hitting 69,615 farmers and fishers across eight regions, with rice the biggest share of damage. Value-Chain Push (Philippines): President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted how the Batangas Egg Producers cooperative is cutting out middlemen by processing eggs into pasteurized, frozen and powdered products with support from science and agriculture agencies. Drought & Resilience Funding (UK): MPs backed a drought package that adds £50m to the Sustainable Farming Incentive and up to £15m for on-farm reservoirs, alongside more flexible environmental schemes. Livestock Sector Plan (Cyprus): Farmers’ groups backed a 2027–2038 programme to rebuild Cyprus’s livestock industry after the foot-and-mouth crisis, calling for faster implementation and investment in biosecurity and genetics. Agri Tech & Monitoring (Zimbabwe/UK): Zimbabwe’s show floor features AI and sensor-driven farm tools, while West Sussex trials use private 5G to monitor livestock buildings in near real time. Markets Watch (Wheat): Wheat futures jumped as Black Sea grain movement concerns sparked buying, lifting cash bids for spring wheat. Agri Business & Jobs (US): CF Industries, JERA and Mitsui broke ground on a low-carbon ammonia plant in Louisiana, targeting production from 2029 and supporting fertilizer and energy-linked demand.

Farm Labor Legal Fight: A federal judge struck down the Trump-era H-2A wage rule, saying the Labor Department failed to prove the changes would protect U.S. farmworkers and bypassed proper rulemaking. Beef Tariff Backlash: Kansas ranchers warn Trump’s plan to pause tariffs on imported ground beef could depress prices and send the wrong signal to the next generation. Land, Water, and Food Security: Mexico resumed cattle exports to the U.S. via the Sonora-Arizona border after New World screwworm restrictions eased; Puerto Rico received a USDA drought disaster declaration to unlock more Farm Service Agency help. Soil and Climate Resilience: Iowa expanded free nitrogen soil testing to more counties to help farmers cut fertilizer costs and protect water; Jordan and FAO launched water-efficient farming training for hundreds of farmers via field schools. Ag Tech and Innovation: Scientists developed protein-rich 3D-printed cookies from plastic and agricultural waste, while K-State’s $125M grain and food center prepares to open with interdisciplinary research. Rural Communities: A Wisconsin judge rejected a dairy expansion permit over weak groundwater safeguards, and a new Yuma soil health lab brings research closer to desert growers.

Import Policy: The government backs temporary import licensing for cereal and oilseed crops until 31 Oct 2026, aiming to protect domestic producers while warning of knock-on costs for milling and livestock. Trade Tensions: Canada announces dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs on $27.6B of U.S. goods, while U.S. farm groups and a USMCA coalition push for exemptions to avoid disrupting agricultural supply chains. Farm Cashflow Stress: A drought-hit UK farming coalition warns of a cashflow crisis threatening next year’s food production, citing high fuel, fertiliser and disease pressures. Food Prices at Home: A Dalhousie report forecasts higher fall costs for school-lunch staples like chicken, tuna, tomatoes and peanut butter. Digital Ag Governance: New Zealand’s agritech debate heats up over who owns farm-generated data from sensors and connected equipment. On-the-Ground Support: Alberta extends AgriStability enrolment to Oct 1 and boosts interim payments to 75% to help producers facing extreme moisture. Biodiversity & Safety: Kenya arrests suspects linked to the poisoning deaths of 18 elephants in the Amboseli ecosystem, with investigators pointing to toxic agricultural chemicals.