AGP Executive Report

Energy & Inputs Shock: Oil futures slid more than 4% to a nearly two-month low after the US and Iran signaled an initial ceasefire and a path to reopening the Strait of Hormuz—good news for fuel and freight expectations, but uncertainty remains as Israel continues fighting. Planting Decisions: In the US, weather and higher input costs appear to have shifted spring planting plans, with mixed signals on corn acres versus USDA expectations for soybeans. Dairy Pricing Transparency: Australian Dairy Farmers says processor “opening price” offers are too hard to compare because of sign-on bonuses and incentives, making budgeting tougher for dairy farms. Livestock Processing Consolidation: JBS USA will close a beef plant in Pennsylvania and a value-added facility in Tennessee as part of restructuring, a move that could tighten cattle procurement options regionally. Animal Welfare & Rural Industry: Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin is winding down after transferring remaining beagles, underscoring how animal-welfare enforcement can reshape farm operations. Water & Climate Adaptation: Chile’s fog-capture projects show how communities are turning camanchaca into water as drought bites. Trade & Markets: US farm exports rose in April while the farm trade deficit narrowed sharply, with China resuming soy purchases and dairy exports running ahead.

Farm policy pressure: Farmers in Ghana’s Ejura, Nkoranza, Techiman and other areas say fertiliser subsidy delays are leaving them stranded at a critical stage, warning they may cut production and hit food security. Farmer finance showdown: Maharashtra’s Rohit Pawar ended an indefinite hunger strike after a promise to discuss restrictive conditions in the farm loan waiver before the monsoon session. Cocoa reform push: Ghana’s cocoa sector is set for a “new dawn” with a producer price adjustment, more local processing, and balance-sheet restructuring aimed at improving farmer livelihoods and COCOBOD’s finances. Food affordability: South Africa’s urban food basket rose to R1,361.76 in April, keeping pressure on low-income households even as inflation cools. Fisheries and fuel costs: Andhra Pradesh’s fishing ban lift is not translating into full sailings—fuel, ice and maintenance costs are keeping much of the fleet anchored, while some fishermen still await scheme benefits. Agritech and inputs: India approved E100 fuel (nearly all ethanol), while India’s soybean meal supply crunch is squeezing poultry, aquaculture and livestock feed costs. Research capacity: Fiji reopened an upgraded agricultural chemistry lab and crop research information centre after a $1.3m upgrade to speed testing and disease response. Sustainable farming education: Kenya’s 4K Club model is turning schoolchildren into regenerative agriculture champions through hands-on farm learning.

Fuel shocks hit small-scale fishing: Mozambique’s fishermen are staying ashore as surging petrol and diesel prices—linked to wider Middle East supply disruptions—make trips unaffordable, leaving hundreds of boats idle and threatening household incomes. Regenerative farming gains traction: A Virginia vineyard operation became the first in the state to earn Certified Regenified status, showing how soil-health practices are moving from pilots to mainstream farm strategy. Tech for productivity and resilience: China carried out its first comprehensive field test of pure electric agricultural machinery for vegetables, while a South African youth innovator is using drone scans plus an app to flag poultry disease risks early. Food safety watch: The U.S. FDA expanded a Maryland listeria-related cheese recall to cover all Clover Hill Dairy cheeses, urging consumers to check product labels. Policy and market pressure: Indonesia is pushing a more integrated dairy ecosystem to cut import dependence, and U.S. lawmakers urged USDA disaster aid for New York fruit and specialty crop growers after an April frost. Fisheries management: Louisiana set new Atchafalaya Basin catch limits and size rules starting Aug. 1 to protect fish stocks. Farm life on the ground: A regenerative paddy farmer in Tamil Nadu reported higher yields using microbial consortia, cutting fertilizer use while boosting soil biology.

Water Stress & Irrigation Politics: Cyprus farmers in Larnaca and Famagusta are pushing back after a cabinet decision to add 3.5 million cubic metres of irrigation water failed to ease shortages, arguing the “southern conveyor system” still leaves their districts short and threatens potatoes, olives and fruit through summer. Wildlife-Driven Crop Shifts: In Nepal’s Jhapa, repeated elephant and monkey damage is pushing farmers to switch from paddy and maize to rubber, which they say is far less vulnerable and is already boosting monthly incomes. Budget Pressure on Farms: Pakistan’s agriculture budget is drawing criticism from farmer groups for lacking a clear productivity and climate-support roadmap, with stakeholders saying research funding and relief measures don’t match urgent on-the-ground needs. Animal Welfare Court Fight: A major US dairy operation, Alexandre Family Farm, is facing an animal welfare lawsuit that alleges systematic cruelty, while the farm denies wrongdoing and calls the case an activist attack. Farm Safety Tragedy: Two children drowned after falling into an unfenced farm pond in Bengaluru Rural, prompting a case against the pond owner and renewed calls for basic safety barriers. Illegal Fishing Crackdowns: In the Philippines, police arrested 25 suspected illegal fishers across Western Visayas and seized over P1.3 million in prohibited gear; in Occidental Mindoro, another fisherman was arrested with P780,750 in seized equipment and catch. Fuel Costs Hit Fishing: Mozambique’s Maputo-area fishermen are staying ashore as fuel prices jump and supplies get erratic, leaving hundreds of boats stranded and livelihoods squeezed. Food Production Down: Nepal reports food and other crop production fell 6.76% in the first half of FY2025/26, with paddy still dominant and spice output down sharply.

BRICS Agriculture: BRICS ministers in Indore adopted the “Indore Declaration,” putting farmers at the center with new seed-rights and digital agriculture initiatives, plus agroecology and regenerative farming networks. Policy & Markets: Gujarat says a decade of MSP procurement reforms has boosted incomes, citing large groundnut and cotton procurement volumes and payments. Tech & Seeds: China’s 15th Five-Year plan explicitly backs gene-edited crops as a core agricultural technology, aiming to speed high-tech seed breeding. Fisheries & Food Supply: Japan is funding Sri Lanka’s fisheries cold chain with refrigerated trucks and ice machines to cut post-harvest losses. Marine Cleanup: Qatar removed a 150-metre abandoned fishing net off Umm Bab to protect marine life. Livestock Health & Trade: Texas launched a free New World Screwworm inspector training to keep livestock movement moving. Farm Safety & Security: Gunmen killed 17 farmers in Nigeria’s Zamfara, underscoring how insecurity disrupts food production. Water & Climate Stress: Drought conditions in Delaware are raising risks for corn and soybeans as farmers wait for rainfall. Farming Inputs: India’s pollution regulator alleges Tata iPhone parts factory wastewater contaminated groundwater used by nearby farms, threatening forced shutdown unless addressed. Access & Conservation: Colorado authorized public fish salvage at two reservoirs as recreational access ends July 15.

Factory-farm rules in court: A Michigan judge upheld winter animal-waste limits on large cattle farms but struck down other parts of the state’s permit updates, reigniting the fight over water pollution and farmers’ due process. Rural security and food supply: Gunmen in Nigeria’s Zamfara state killed 17 farmers and injured others while they worked fields, underscoring how armed attacks are pushing people to abandon farmland during planting season. Fishing safety and livelihoods: Sri Lanka’s meteorology warned of rough seas and strong winds, urging fishing communities to stay out of affected waters; in India’s Andhra Pradesh, the annual 61-day fishing ban is set to end June 15, with aid helping families tide over the closure. Farm policy and paperwork pressure: Wales launched a review to cut red tape for farmers, while the UK’s tax rules are tightening digital record-keeping requirements for farmers. Market support for small producers: India raised onion buffer-stock procurement rates to support growers, and the Philippines distributed agri-fishery aid to thousands of farmers and fisherfolk. Tech and value-add in fisheries: Malaysia researchers developed a process to soften terubuk fish bones for safer whole consumption, aiming to boost fisheries food processing.

Retail & Competition: Bulgaria’s competition watchdog is probing whether retail chains pressured fruit and vegetable suppliers to cut purchase prices under the “Care Basket” push, following earlier actions against Kaufland and T-Market. Livestock Biosecurity: The New World screwworm is back in the U.S., with USDA confirming cases in Texas and New Mexico, raising alarms for cattle and other warm-blooded animals in places like California’s Imperial Valley. Food Safety: Azuma Foods recalled Tako Wasabi seasoned octopus because it may contain undeclared fish, putting allergy sufferers at risk. Dairy Innovation: Iowa announced 11 Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grants totaling $614,620 in cost-share support to help dairy farms adopt processing and labor-saving tech. Farm Policy & Food Aid: U.S. state AGs urged Congress to restore SNAP benefits in the Farm Bill, warning recent cuts are worsening hunger and shifting costs to states. Fishing & Fisheries Management: Colorado Parks and Wildlife ordered a public fish salvage at two reservoirs near Lamar, then will permanently close access after the lease ends. Climate & Crops: Reuters reports El Niño is likely to boost Argentina’s crop prospects in the second half of 2026, despite risks elsewhere.

Marine Conservation & Fisheries Management: Fifteen Samoa villages launched Village Fisheries Management Plans under the Kiwa RESTORE Project, getting monitoring gear to protect coastal resources and support food security. Food Systems & Rural Development: Ghana’s Home-Grown School Feeding pilot will serve 33,598 children daily across two districts, buying from local farmers under a $12m three-year WFP-backed programme. Livestock & Disease Control: Bangladesh’s University of Rajshahi handed over a Newcastle disease vaccine “Master Seed” to the Department of Livestock Services to cut poultry losses. Agricultural Policy: Azerbaijan is rolling out regional consultations for a 2026–2030 state programme covering agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, aiming to boost production, processing and exports. Trade & Markets: BRICS agriculture ministers met in Indore focused on food security and smallholder welfare, with women and youth participation on the agenda. Drought & Farm Resilience: Rwanda dairy farmers in Nyagatare secured matching grants for water storage and feed-processing to protect cattle and milk output amid drought. Safety & Incidents: A tapioca harvester in India died after a snapped low-tension power line; in the Philippines, four fishing-boat crew died after collapsing in a sardine-factory hold, while Ilocos Norte oil spill response continues after a vessel sank. Marine Policy Backlash: The Trump administration reopened major Pacific marine monuments to commercial fishing, drawing conservation criticism over bycatch and ecosystem risk.

Severe Weather & Farm Resilience: Wisconsin’s iconic Culver’s “Thank You Farmers” barn in Beaver Dam collapsed after storms, with winds around 85 mph; Culver’s says no one was hurt and recovery is underway. Aquaculture & Pollution: Alaska officials confirmed about 45,000 gallons of diesel spilled after the grounded crabber Arctic Sea; remaining fuel removal and salvage planning continue. Fisheries Health & Safety: Canada’s Lac Seul First Nation warned of tapeworms in locally caught fish, urging extreme caution and thorough cooking. Livestock Disease: Cyprus reported a new foot-and-mouth disease case in Mammari, bringing total affected livestock units to 121; culling is underway. Regulation & Costs: Oregon agriculture regulators may raise farm license fees based on inflation to keep programs solvent amid funding pressure. Water & Climate Risk: Cebu (Philippines) is funding P1.42M in water impounding facilities to irrigate up to 11 hectares as El Niño dry conditions loom. Farming Tech Advisory: India launched “Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra,” a WhatsApp AI service offering round-the-clock oilseed guidance in multiple languages. Trade & Inputs: Thailand and China held talks to expand cooperation across agriculture and security, including China’s support for Thailand’s urea fertilizer access. Community Food Systems: Mayfield’s Downtown Farmers Market kicks off “Tuesdays Together” to bring weekly summer shopping and meals to residents.

Fisheries & Food Security: Sri Lanka is getting six Japanese refrigerated trucks to cut post-harvest fish losses and improve cold-chain distribution, while Sri Lanka’s agriculture department urges farmers to conserve water as El Niño risk rises. Climate & Water Stress: In Maharashtra, delayed monsoon has pushed many farmers to skip “dhul perni” pre-monsoon sowing, and in Sri Lanka officials are steering growers toward short-cycle crops and tighter water management. Farm Inputs & Costs: Malaysia’s growers are shifting from buying fertilizer by volume to chasing nutrient efficiency as prices and supply uncertainty bite. Markets & Access: North Carolina’s Caldwell County seniors can tap $50 farmers market vouchers via the Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, and Iloilo City’s Mercado Lokal expands direct farm-to-buyer sales. Policy & Environment: Defra set out new funding for England’s Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship, but the NFU warns it’s not enough for farmers’ nature goals. Rural Disruption: Farmers in Odisha’s Kalahandi blocked NH-59 over delays in paddy procurement as rain-damaged stocks pile up. Agri-Science: Uruguay signed a deal with a Chinese university to boost pasture genetics and forage biotechnology through a joint lab.

Fertiliser Shock & Food Security: The European Commission is lining up a €500m support package for farmers hit by soaring fertiliser costs, but the EU agriculture commissioner warns long-term supply fixes are still needed to avoid food shortages. Livestock Health & Trade: Mexico has suspended most U.S. live-animal imports after New World screwworm detections in Texas and New Mexico, while U.S. pork producers are urged to monitor animals closely. Regional Fisheries Pressure: Canada launched a fourth North Pacific mission to curb illegal fishing, and the Philippines saw fishers and youth demand stronger protection of municipal waters. Climate Stress on Farms: Virginia supervisors seek an agricultural disaster declaration after a late freeze and dry spring damaged hay, pasture, orchards, vineyards and barley. Aquaponics & Local Food Systems: Kentucky’s FoodChain opened a neighborhood grocery next to its aquaponics farm, expanding hands-on training and fresh food access. Community & Markets: Vermont reminded anglers that open fires and swimming are banned at state fishing access areas, while multiple local farmers markets kicked off new seasons and locations. Agrifood Investment: US-Qatar Business Council and IFC launched a roadmap to attract agrifood investments tied to Qatar’s food security strategy.

Farm wellbeing push in rural New Zealand: Farmstrong ambassador Jack Jensen is taking the “Cut the Bull” mental health message to farmers through an eight-week rural campaign, starting at Kokopuru Station and running into major events like Fieldays. Greenwashing scrutiny in meat and dairy: A new study finds 98% of sustainability claims from the world’s biggest meat and dairy companies lack meaningful support, raising fresh questions about climate promises. Farm safety tech for UK producers: The RABI FarmersAid app is urging farmers to download step-by-step guidance for common serious farm accidents, as farming remains a high-risk workplace. Livestock health alert in Texas: New World screwworm has been confirmed again in South Texas, prompting disaster declarations and calls for ranchers to prepare. Policy and payments in the US: USDA’s Farm Service Agency is expanding payment limitation and eligibility rules, giving more flexibility for how farm entities are structured. Agriculture under climate pressure in Asia: Analysts warn El Niño-linked dryness and heat are already hurting crop establishment across parts of Asia, with potential yield and supply impacts later in 2026. Food system and trade signals: A report notes China’s role in US agriculture is shifting by commodity, even as hopes for renewed purchases fade. Farmer access to land restored: A South African court ordered immediate restoration of a farmer’s access to two farms after he was unlawfully locked out.

Farm policy & markets: USDA expands payment limitation and eligibility rules, while growers in multiple regions push for direct, practical support tied to agriculture funding. Pest & risk management: Minnesota’s MDA plans aerial spongy moth mating-disruption over 112,211 acres in five counties (June 24–July 1, weather dependent). Dairy & food safety: Clover Hill Dairy recalls soft ricotta/requeson cheese over possible Listeria contamination; Nebraska leaders tout new processing capacity as a growth engine for dairy. Climate-smart farming: Japan’s heat-resistant rice adoption hits a record 18.2% of acreage as hotter summers drive variety shifts. Fisheries & livelihoods: Idaho urges anglers to keep invasive walleye; Maine warns striped bass anglers after dozens of violations; Trinidad’s Sea Lots wholesale fish depot set to shut June 14. Rural development & land protection: Florida approves conservation easements preserving 6,200+ acres of working farmland. Agri-tech & data: The Philippines’ MULA Earth-observation satellite is built and in UK testing, targeting launch as early as April 2027 for agriculture and disaster monitoring. Community & outreach: Farm Aid locks in a Virginia Beach debut with Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp. Labor & inclusion: Zimbabwe trains women smallholders on food sovereignty, gender justice and climate resilience. Trade & security: Egypt and the World Bank discuss food and water security cooperation, including market access for smallholders. Accidents: A Kansas farm sprayer collision with a train kills the driver near Marysville.

Ethanol Push in India: India launched E85 (85% ethanol) and highlighted flex-fuel vehicles as a way to cut crude imports and boost rural ethanol demand. Fertiliser and Oil Shock Watch: Reuters links the Iran war to higher oil costs and potential fertiliser supply strain for India, raising risks for growth, inflation, and farm inputs. BRICS Agriculture Talks: India chairs a five-day BRICS Agriculture Working Group in Indore focused on food security, climate-smart farming, trade, and farmer welfare, aiming for a joint declaration. Trade Balance Spotlight (Africa): South Africa logged a record Q1 agri trade surplus of $1.55bn, driven mainly by lower import costs and strong horticulture exports, while livestock exports still face FMD limits. Regional Water Resilience: Central Africa’s water and power problems are being tackled by restoring nature to reduce flood damage and protect water infrastructure. Policy/Border Fruit Risk: Nepal banned Indian mangoes over pesticide concerns, sparking trader fears of shortages and price spikes. Climate-smart Energy for Farms: G7 agriculture ministers met as fertiliser prices soar, underscoring how geopolitics and energy costs keep feeding into farm economics.

Fertiliser Crunch in Kenya: NCPB chiefs met North Rift farmers in Eldoret over a shortage of top-dressing fertiliser (CAN), pledging extra supplies under the Fertiliser Subsidy Programme after two weeks of scarcity sparked protests. Climate Risk to Food Imports: A new UN-linked analysis warns Middle East conflict is feeding into hunger, while heat stress and likely El Niño conditions could cut farm output in poorer countries that supply Britain’s food. Carbon Labels in China: Gansu’s Zhangye is rolling out carbon footprint labels for crops like potatoes and broccoli, turning emissions data into a “green ID card” for buyers. Drones for Mountain Farming in China: Chongqing farmers are using agricultural drones to fertilise, spray and sow on steep plots, cutting labour needs dramatically. Australia Cotton Outlook: ANZ says Australia’s 2025-26 cotton harvest balanced water limits and costs, with a possible drop to 3mn bales in 2026-27. India Mango Price Shock: Totapuri mango prices in Chittoor fell to Rs 4/kg amid export disruptions and processing delays, with farmers demanding MSP. EU Eyes Assam Agri-Food: EU “Team Europe” led by Ambassador Herve Delphin is visiting Assam to push value-chain cooperation, including tea and agri-food processing. Haryana Space for Farms: A satellite-based system is helping Haryana monitor crops and water stress, supporting millions of farmers and officials. South Africa Malaria Spread: Malaria cases are surging in southern Africa as climate shifts, threatening food and health security goals. Trade and Diplomacy: Russia’s Lavrov says Marcos may meet Putin at the Asean-Russia summit in Kazan, with energy and agriculture on the agenda.