AGP Executive Report

New World Screwworm Alert: USDA and CDC-linked reporting says the flesh-eating New World screwworm is back in the U.S., with 30+ confirmed animal detections in Texas and New Mexico in June–July and new dog cases, raising urgent guidance for pet owners and vets; Delaware officials also say there’s no risk to the national food supply and have tightened import rules for warm-blooded animals from affected areas. Fertilizer Supply Stress: A Swiss fertilizer trader warns conflict around the Strait of Hormuz is keeping urea and sulfur availability “questionable,” while phosphate needs for Brazil’s safrinha and the fall season could face tight supply—though high prices may curb application. Input Cost Pressure for U.S. Corn: The National Corn Growers Association reports U.S. farmers pay far more for seed and crop protection than Brazil, in some cases near double, fueling competitiveness concerns. Dairy Standards Update: The FARM Program opens public comment on proposed Version 2028 changes to animal care and workforce development standards, with feedback due Oct. 2. Right-to-Repair for John Deere: The FTC and states settle with Deere, requiring Deere to provide farmers and independent repair providers the same repair resources (including software capabilities) as dealers for the next decade. Extension Boost in Ghana: Ghana deploys 506 Feed Ghana Brigade officers nationwide to strengthen extension services and support farmers and agribusinesses.

El Niño Watch: India’s PMO ordered ministries to closely monitor El Niño impacts on kharif, water, food supplies and rural livelihoods after monsoon delays and a still-significant rainfall deficit. Climate Shock to Crops: Typhoon Maysak flooded Hengzhou in China’s Guangxi, hitting the world’s jasmine hub (60% of global output) and threatening floral-tea and pharma supply chains. Infrastructure for Farming Regions: Nepal approved extending the Kathmandu–Terai/Madhesh expressway to Khokana and splitting a stalled segment into two contracts after land-acquisition disputes. Fertilizer Security: J.P. Morgan arranged development financing for a US$1.6bn urea plant in Basra, aiming to cut Iraq’s urea imports and ease pressure on domestic agriculture. Livestock Biosecurity: The New World screwworm outbreak in the US is expanding; officials urge wound checks and treatment readiness as cases spread across Texas and beyond. Dairy Transition: Ireland’s Carbery and Teagasc renewed a five-year West Cork dairy programme focused on profitability, pasture use, herd fertility and lower emissions. EU Livestock Strategy: The European Commission unveiled a livestock strategy pushing resilient, sustainable and competitive production across member states. Ag Tech for Monitoring: Researchers advanced real-time AI fish counting for aquaculture, designed for low-cost farm deployment. Rural Jobs Pressure: The Philippines reported unemployment rising to 4.8% in May, with agriculture and forestry hit by weather disruptions linked to El Niño and global oil shocks.

EU Livestock Policy: The European Commission adopted a new livestock strategy and protein action plan, setting priorities from crisis-ready risk management to boosting competitiveness and pushing cage-free transitions for laying hens and sows. Farm Viability Snapshot (Ireland): Teagasc reports 54% of Irish farms were economically viable in 2025, with fewer vulnerable farms and strong results in dairy and tillage. Rural Livelihoods (Ireland): Off-farm income is slipping: 59% of farming households had off-farm income in 2025, down from 2024, with pensions playing a bigger role. Market Access Upgrade (India): Maharashtra will fast-track MAGNET 2.0 with ADB support to strengthen FPOs, post-harvest systems, digital market links, and export logistics. Animal Health Alert (U.S.): Texas confirmed 30 New World screwworm cases across 13 counties, triggering quarantines as officials warn livestock and pet owners to watch for symptoms. Smallholder Horticulture (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe’s HDC says its IFAD/OFID-backed program is expanding market links for smallholders via producer groups and anchor-firm partnerships. Trade & Input Pressure (U.S.): A new farmer sentiment read points to high input costs weighing on profitability, even as land values stay supported.

El Niño Risk for Food Security: Cambodia is bracing for a potentially prolonged El Niño, with an 80% chance of development and hotter, drier conditions likely to hit rainfall and drought through early 2027. Prime Minister Hun Manet ordered ministries to tighten monitoring, public advisories, and emergency response, with Agriculture tasked to protect food reserves and support farmers. Labour Standards for Migrant Workers: Sierra Leone launched a three-day workshop to prepare for ratifying key ILO conventions and the UN migrant workers rights convention, aiming to align labour laws with international standards. Dairy Economics in Ireland: New Teagasc survey data shows dairy incomes up 41% in 2025, while farm households’ off-farm work patterns shift—overall off-farm employment fell to 43% of farmers, with dairy households still relying heavily on spouse off-farm income. Rubber Export Policy Tension (Liberia): Liberia’s rubber brokers and farmers union is urging President Boakai to amend an indefinite ban on exporting unprocessed natural rubber, warning it could squeeze smallholders and rural livelihoods. Horticulture Breakthrough (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe shipped its first commercial blueberry consignment to China, following market access in 2025, with next focus on scaling volumes and cold-chain logistics. Meat Export Push (Kenya): Kenya plans to launch a national livestock identification and traceability system to strengthen disease surveillance and meet global meat standards, ahead of a livestock conference. Rural Development Funding (Australia): Nutrien and FRRR’s community grants program is back for 2026, offering up to $5,000 for agriculture-linked local projects.

Energy & Food Security: India’s PM Modi inaugurated the Rajasthan Refinery at Balotra, framing it as a response to global supply shocks and a boost to jobs and energy resilience. Commodities Watch: FAO’s June food price index edged down, with cereals and dairy falling while beef slipped but stayed near record highs; sugar and other inputs remain sensitive to weather and currency moves. Farm Economics: Ireland’s Teagasc survey showed higher 2025 incomes, but the IFA warns 2026 margins are tightening as commodity prices soften and costs keep rising. Livestock Tech: India’s NRCY and Assam Don Bosco University developed an IoT smart system for yak health monitoring, stress prediction, and movement tracking. Food Safety Crackdown: Maharashtra authorities dismantled a synthetic milk network, seizing chemicals and suspected product across multiple districts. Water Governance: Namibia was selected to host the 2028 INBO World Basin Summit, spotlighting water scarcity and climate adaptation. Trade & Tariffs: Chilean salmon groups plan a U.S. push against forced-labor-linked tariffs as hearings approach. Market Pressure: U.S. farm equipment tariffs were cut, but dealers warn prices may still rise, squeezing farmers already under strain.

Climate & Food Prices: FAO says the global Food Price Index dipped 0.3% in June, though it’s still 2.2% higher than a year ago, with grains easing but rice and vegetable oils firming. Disaster Risk: Türkiye reports nearly 90,000 hectares of farmland damaged in the first half of 2026 from floods, hail, storms, frost and landslides—pushing up wasted inputs and highlighting low insurance uptake. Water & Governance: Jordan’s education ministry is studying facial recognition for attendance, while Namibia’s agriculture ministry clarifies it doesn’t choose which schools get boreholes—education sets beneficiaries, agriculture provides technical oversight. Farm Finance & Policy: Brazil’s Banco do Brasil will lend about $40.5B for the 2026/27 crop year, including support for small and medium producers. Food Systems & Trade: Mindanao mango exports have “almost none” in fresh form as pests, costs and competition squeeze growers; processors shift to dried fruit but still face price pressure. Sustainable Inputs & Regulation: Zambia targets 75,000 farmers with climate-smart training; the UK faces another heatwave, underscoring adaptation gaps. Market Integrity: Australia’s ACCC fined Lactalis over milk labels that used reconstituted ingredients while marketed as fresh.

Fertilizer Relief in the US: Trump temporarily suspended phosphate fertilizer duties on imports from Morocco, aiming to boost supply and cut costs for more than 100,000 farms, with USDA estimating savings of about $1.82B annually. Input Subsidy Leak in India: Punjab seized diverted subsidised urea meant for farms but rerouted to industrial chemical makers, highlighting a ₹1.6 lakh crore annual subsidy “leak” and stalled fixes. Water Stress for Farmers: Israel’s Central Arava faces a severe irrigation shortfall as Mekorot supply lags demand, forcing quota limits and tighter community water management. Food Export Push (Philippines): The Philippines’ DA is moving to form a private ube exporters group to set standards and expand overseas market access. Budget Pressure (Philippines): Agriculture is seeking ₱220B for 2027, but a tighter fiscal ceiling could cut it sharply. Market Access for Durian (Malaysia): Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will raise falling durian prices with China’s premier to expand China demand. Co-ops for Resilience (St. Kitts): The island marked International Day of Cooperatives with events focused on nation-building and stronger cooperative administration. Land vs Solar Debate: A warning grows that fast-tracked renewable projects are eating into productive farmland, risking food security and ecological damage.

Coconut Biofuels Push (Philippines): A lawmaker urged the Department of Energy to act fast on the Department of Agriculture’s endorsement of moving to a 5% coconut biodiesel blend, arguing it would raise incomes for coconut farmers after earlier delays tied to inflation and pump-price fears. Clean Energy from Farm Waste (India-Japan): Japan’s Suzuki R&D, Assam’s Purabi Dairy and NDDB signed an MoU to build a compressed biogas plant turning dairy and agricultural waste into renewable fuel and organic fertiliser. Farmer Registry Momentum (Nepal): Nepal’s nationwide farmer registration drive has surpassed its target, with 2.645 million farming households registered and plans to start farmer classification and identity card distribution next fiscal year. Rice Expansion Deal (Papua New Guinea): Madang Province signed an MoU with the PNG National Rice and Grain Board to boost rice and grain production in the Ramu Plain, supported by local agencies. Invasive Weed Alert (Bangladesh): Parthenium hysterophorus is spreading across Chuadanga’s upazilas, threatening crops and livestock while also raising public health concerns. Storm Safety (US): Severe thunderstorms forced evacuation and security screening suspension at Washington’s National Mall during America’s 250th celebrations. Seafood Labeling (Australia): New country-of-origin rules for seafood (AIM: Australian/Imported/Mixed) took effect, aiming to cut fraud and improve consumer trust. Land Restoration Focus (Global): UNEP highlighted land degradation’s scale and urged action, including subsidy reform and restoration efforts, to protect food and water security.

Fertilizer Integrity & Farm Inputs: India warned of fake fertilizer and seeds at district task forces, while farmers elsewhere face fraud risk—highlighting the need for tighter checks on agri-input supply chains. Herbicide Trade Scrutiny: India tightened customs review of Chinese glufosinate imports, probing whether exporters are absorbing anti-dumping duties to blunt protections for domestic makers. Fertilizer Price Relief: India raised onion procurement prices by 13% to Rs 2,125/quintal to support farmer returns via buffer procurement. Food Prices Watch: FAO reported global food prices fell for a second month in June, led by cheaper sugar, grains and dairy, though vegetable oils and meat stayed firmer. Farm Finance & Inclusion: Egypt’s Agricultural Development Programme plans to double financing to EGP 10bn and expand foreign-currency lending for exporters; Ghana’s cocoa VSLAs received GH¢2m under a World Bank-funded emissions-lowering project. Animal Health Cooperation: A U.S.-hosted international symposium focused on managing animal mortalities and disposal practices, stressing cross-border coordination. Market Signals for Crops: Soybean farmers face uncertainty as China resumes U.S. buying after a freeze, but volumes remain below pre-trade-war levels. Mechanisation Push: Nagaland flagged off tractors and Tata Mobiles to boost mechanisation and productivity for smallholders. Biosecurity Urgency: Texas officials urged the FDA to allow feed-based ivermectin to help curb a New World screwworm outbreak.

Renewables & Rural Power: Aboitiz Power inaugurated its San Manuel Solar Power Plant in Pangasinan, adding 92 MW and bringing the firm’s local solar capacity to over 300 MW, with 102 hectares of panels targeting 146 GWh/year. Climate & Water Stress: Cambodia’s El Niño-linked drought has severely affected 18,362 hectares of rainy-season rice in Battambang, with rainfall down about 50% and hotter conditions expected. Food Prices: Global food prices fell for a second straight month in June as cereals, dairy and sugar eased, while rice rose on stronger Asian demand and weather uncertainty. Farm Infrastructure: The Philippines’ DA-PRDP cleared a 26-km, P727-million farm-to-market road in Masinloc, unlocking procurement steps for rural connectivity. Drought/Disaster Response: Solomon Islands’ MALD received 200 hand tools from New Zealand to help cyclone Maila-affected farmers restart food gardens. Agronomy & Inputs: Ghana’s rice farmers report weed losses up to 84%, with researchers urging integrated weed management to cut yield-destroying infestations. Regenerative Farming: Togo launched a three-year regenerative cotton program aiming to restore soils, improve water management, and raise yields for nearly 24,000 farmers. Land & Governance: Kenya’s Kiambu faces agricultural land loss to housing, with officials pushing high-rise development to protect farmland.

Climate-smart reporting: Kenya unveiled a digital climate reporting platform to track adoption of climate-smart practices, estimate farm greenhouse gases, and guide investment—aiming to reduce uncertainty for farmers facing erratic rains. Weather risk: India’s home minister Amit Shah reviewed El Niño-linked below-normal monsoon signals and ordered ministries to prepare for drought impacts and advise crop choices. Food prices: FAO said global food prices edged down in June as cereal, sugar and dairy fell, even as vegetable oils and meat rose. Women and land rights: Maharashtra passed a Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill, legally recognizing women as farmers so they can access schemes tied to land records. Water and weeds: In Bhiwandi, water hyacinth choking the Kamwari River is raising monsoon flood fears, blamed on untreated sewage and weak cleanup enforcement. Agri infrastructure: Angola launched AgroCorridors to boost food security via farmer field schools, mechanization, seeds and fertilizer access, irrigation and rural services. Animal health alert: The U.S. confirmed 31 New World screwworm infestations (mostly Texas), urging livestock vigilance and containment. Renewables for farms: Aboitiz Power inaugurated a new San Manuel solar plant in Pangasinan, adding clean power capacity that supports broader rural energy reliability.

Aquaculture Deal: Cooke agreed to buy Mowi’s eastern Canada salmon-farming business for US$158.1m, adding hatcheries, sea sites and two processing plants across New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland—expected to close in H2 2026. Food Security & Trade: Qatar pushed GCC coordination on strategic food reserves, supply-chain flow and commodity movement to strengthen Gulf food security. Climate Risk: The UN’s weather agency warned El Niño is likely to strengthen fast between July and September, raising odds of extreme weather. Rice Exports: India’s rice outlook looks well stocked despite El Niño worries, with strong MSP procurement and high stocks supporting record exports. Renewables vs Livelihoods: A Laoag diocese opposed Ilocos Norte’s offshore wind plan, warning of impacts on small-scale fisherfolk and marine ecosystems. Agri Innovation: Researchers tested agrivoltaic cold frames using upcycled EV crates to extend growing seasons and manage heat. Livestock Development: Nigeria’s sheep and goat body NASHGODAN pledged training and mentorship to boost productivity and food security. Market Access: China-Kazakhstan Horgos expanded a “green channel” for agricultural imports to speed inspections and reduce spoilage. Global Governance: A World Bank report says cleaner growth paths can create more jobs, especially in less-polluting sectors.

IPO Watch: Cumberland Farms (formerly EG Group) filed with the U.S. SEC to go public on Nasdaq, signaling a major push for U.S. growth. Aquaculture Standards: The Aquaculture Stewardship Council extended the ASC Farm Standard transition deadline to May 1, 2028 and issued an interim version for farms already switching. Livestock Biosecurity: Missouri tightened animal import rules for New World screwworm risk, requiring faster inspections and stricter documentation. Farm Policy in Washington: A Senate farm bill draft is starting a fresh round of debate, with key fights over California pork housing rules and fuel provisions. Water & Farming Geopolitics: India’s Indus Waters Treaty suspension after a terror attack is raising Pakistan’s “water war” alarms, with direct stakes for irrigation and energy. Women Farmers’ Rights: Maharashtra passed a bill granting women legal recognition as independent farmers, aiming to unlock welfare access beyond land-ownership hurdles. Food Supply Chains: A new U.S. proposal targets middle-of-the-supply-chain gaps via regional food hubs and infrastructure funding. Labor Enforcement: Washington fined a farm labor contractor $692,750 for violations tied to farmworker insurance and employment disclosures. Climate & Risk: Hungary’s Hortobágy National Park faced a fast-moving grassland wildfire threatening grazing areas and livestock. Agriculture & Governance: Nagaland issued livestock-death reporting guidelines for SDRF relief claims, tightening timelines and documentation.

Climate & Labor: In the Philippines, rice farm work is shifting to midnight starts as extreme heat drives transplanting into cooler hours, with workers warning midday labor can mean dehydration and heat stroke. Pest & Crop Risk: Negros Occidental approved a calamity measure to unlock funds against red-striped soft-scale insects that have hit over 32% of its sugarcane area, threatening yields and livelihoods. Water Security: Bulacan and Pampanga face a delayed wet-season rice start as Angat Dam levels fall below the irrigation threshold, limiting water releases. Input Costs & Policy: The US temporarily suspended countervailing duties on certain phosphate imports, aiming to cut prices and save farmers about $1.82bn annually. Cold-Storage Finance: Kenya’s Agriculture Finance Corporation and DanChurchAid will fund cold storage for smallholder cooperatives to cut post-harvest losses and raise incomes. Organic Oversight: US lawmakers proposed risk-based USDA oversight for organic farms to reduce inspection red tape hurting small producers. Food-System Governance: The UN released the first global independent scientific assessment of AI, warning risks are outpacing governance—covering agriculture among key impact areas. Regional Finance: The World Bank approved a seven-year Nigeria partnership and $1.25bn package, including support for 9.5m farmers to boost productivity.

Fertilizer Cost Relief: The Trump administration suspended Morocco phosphate import tariffs for eight months, aiming to cut input costs for U.S. corn and soy farmers and potentially save more than $1 billion. Animal Health & Biosecurity: A New World screwworm outbreak in Texas has reached 29 cases, with 21 quarantined counties and calls from Texas officials for emergency feed-based ivermectin to protect livestock and wildlife. Food Systems Oversight: South Africa’s Human Rights Commission will hold a second leg of hearings on food systems (6–10 July), focusing on market concentration and private-sector roles across the value chain. Climate Finance Shift: The World Bank dropped climate-marking targets after U.S. pressure, reframing support toward “positive climate impacts” rather than a fixed 45% lending goal. Ag Tech in Practice: Connected cold-store forklift fleets are being used to improve safety and reduce downtime for citrus packhouses in KwaZulu-Natal. Policy & Investment: The World Bank approved a $1.25bn Nigeria package to back reforms in power, digital, agriculture, trade and revenue, targeting jobs and private investment.

Water Stress & Irrigation: Philippines’ Angat Dam in Bulacan fell to 159.97 masl, slipping below a 160-masl critical level and raising fears of weak irrigation at the start of the July wet-season. Aquaculture & Biodiversity: Laos plans a nationwide release of 72 million fingerlings on July 13, mobilizing state and private hatcheries to restore fish stocks. Risk Finance for Farmers: A new report projects the global parametric insurance market will grow to $34.4bn by 2033, driven by faster payouts for climate-linked losses. Climate Outlook: Pakistan’s PMD warns of above-normal temperatures in July–September, with higher risks of flash floods, glacier melt impacts, and heat stress on crops. Agri-Food Investment: Kenya unveiled a Sh1.081tn National Agri-food Systems Investment Plan (2026–2030) to pull in private capital across crops, livestock, fisheries, irrigation, processing and climate resilience. Market Access via GI: Papua New Guinea’s Sepik cocoa and vanilla products advanced toward export growth after earning validated Geographical Indications. Land Records & Farmers’ Rights: India’s Madhya Pradesh faces gaps in digital land records, leaving some Adivasi farmers’ plots missing online despite paper documents. Trade & Inputs: Nigeria received a $1.25bn World Bank loan amid debt concerns, while Pakistan renewed calls for a binding covenant on shared rivers after Indus Waters Treaty tensions.