Monsoon & food inflation watch: India’s finance ministry warns that fuel-price hikes plus a below-normal monsoon (El Niño-linked) could lift retail inflation via higher transport, energy and food costs, with rural demand at risk. Heatwave impacts: India also faces severe pre-monsoon storms and lightning, with Bihar and Uttar Pradesh reporting dozens of deaths and major flight disruptions. Farmer cashflow & credit: Kenya’s finance expert says smallholders are “locked out” of formal credit because banking rules assign 100% risk weight to farm loans, despite lower default rates. Weather tech for farmers: Telangana launched an AI weather-advisory system for 15 lakh farmers via the Rythu Bharosa phone network. Procurement unrest: Thousands of wheat farmers in Rajasthan blocked a railway line over procurement timing and targets. Trade & inputs: India scrapped cotton import duties until Oct 30, 2026 to ease textile input costs. Drought risk finance: SEADRIF and FAO launched Southeast Asia’s first anticipatory drought insurance pilot in Laos, linking early warnings to pre-arranged payouts. Agri-business support: Farm Credit Mid-America returned $34.4m to Kentucky farmers through patronage. China market access: China will allow eligible African coffee beans from 53 countries starting July 20, using unified phytosanitary rules.