AGP Executive Report

Water Resilience: A solar-powered irrigation project in Leyte will supply year-round water to 87 farmers across 70 hectares, cutting reliance on fuel pumps as El Niño threatens dry conditions. Input Costs: U.S. farmers face diesel prices up more than 67% since February, while some fertilizer costs have doubled, squeezing harvest profits and next season’s budgets. Market Support: Namibia has set aside N$70 million to buy surplus maize, but the government says it needs another N$50 million to purchase all available grain. Women in Agriculture: Maharashtra plans certificates recognizing women farmers even when they do not own land, potentially improving access to credit, water and farm services. Crop Innovation: Uttar Pradesh growers snapped up all 200,000 buds of new sugarcane variety CoS.23232 in five minutes, drawn by promises of earlier maturity and higher yields. Olive Harvest: Palestinian farmers in the West Bank face renewed disruption, with reported crop theft, damage to trees and attacks on harvesters.

Harvest Pressure: Saskatchewan’s harvest is 82% complete after a week of favourable weather, while Iowa farmers are racing to make up for rain delays before more wet weather and winter arrive. Weather Damage: Heavy rain and winds in Nepal have soaked or flattened paddy, sugarcane and vegetable crops, threatening quality and yields. In India, the government cut its 2026–27 foodgrain target by 2.63 million tonnes amid drought and El Niño concerns. Water Security: Solar-powered irrigation in Leyte, Philippines, will supply year-round water to 70 hectares and help 87 farmers reduce pumping costs. In Telangana, farmers protested over water shortages as crops dry up. Farm Safety: Nigeria’s NAFDAC warned of illegal banned pesticides, reporting seizures worth more than 800 million naira in 2025.

Harvest Under Pressure: Excess rain and flooding have left Manitoba farmers facing their worst harvest in years, with one producer able to harvest only about 60% of his fields. Saskatchewan is 82% complete, still behind average, as heavy rain threatens crops left in the field. Fuel Costs: Diesel remains near record highs during harvest. Emergency measures easing restrictions on dyed fuel offer farmers some relief, but costs remain steep. Drought and Water: Maharashtra farmers are seeking urgent aid for drought-hit crops, while Telangana officials warn El Niño could strain irrigation and power supplies. Food Safety: Nigeria’s NAFDAC says bean samples contained pesticide residues above safety limits and is stepping up enforcement. Taylor Farms will stop selling U.S. and Canadian iceberg lettuce harvested or processed in Mexico during the rainy season, after a deadly Cyclospora outbreak. Farm Technology: Drones are helping Andhra Pradesh growers tackle labour shortages and cut spraying time; the state offers an 80% purchase subsidy.

Olive Harvest Under Attack: Palestinian officials reported 19 attacks across the West Bank, including assaults on olive pickers and the burning or uprooting of trees. Drought Emergency: A central team is assessing crop losses in Maharashtra’s Marathwada, where seasonal rainfall reached just 65% of average and reservoir storage has fallen to 31%. Farmers are seeking compensation of up to ₹60,000 per acre. Storm Damage: Heavy rain and wind across western Nepal flooded cut paddy and left some harvested rice sprouting in fields, while hill crops were also damaged. Harvest Costs: Maryland and Idaho are among states easing dyed-diesel restrictions to help farmers manage fuel costs, though the relief is temporary and its impact remains uncertain. Crop Markets: Losses in Himachal Pradesh have tightened apple supplies and lifted Kashmiri apple prices by as much as 35%. Resilience and Technology: Ghana has begun a 175-hectare water project expected to support 220 farmers, while research institute CSIR-CRI trained more than 100 farmers and extension officers in greenhouse tomato production.

Malaysia’s Paddy Support: Budget 2027 sets aside RM2.62 billion for paddy farmers, including about RM4,300 per hectare in assistance and a doubled harvesting incentive. FOMCA says funding must deliver higher rice production and affordable prices. U.S. Crop Outlook: USDA raised its corn estimate to 16.033 billion bushels, surprising markets and sending corn futures sharply lower; soybean production was also revised up. Separate ARC and PLC payments are expected to total a record $13.8 billion for 2025. Fuel Costs: Missouri temporarily widened access to tax-free dyed diesel on roads as high fuel costs squeeze farmers and harvesters. Water and Climate: Yakima Valley growers secured October irrigation after welcome September rain, while Okanagan growers say crop insurance payouts fall short as smoke and extreme weather threaten harvests. Harvest Risks: Iowa farmers are watching for field fires as combines return to work; Palestinian olive harvesters faced attacks and equipment damage in the West Bank.

El Niño Threat: NIA Bicol is adjusting planting calendars, rotating irrigation and promoting short-duration crops as drought threatens water supplies. In Northern Samar, dry conditions have affected 917 farmers and caused an estimated ₱27 million in crop losses; Lope de Vega has declared a state of calamity. Rising Costs: U.S. farmers face diesel prices up more than 67% since February and fertilizer prices that have doubled for some inputs. USDA has confirmed a record $13.8 billion in farm-program payments, while temporary dyed-diesel exemptions offer only limited relief. Harvest Watch: Saskatchewan’s harvest is 82% complete and Manitoba’s is 65%, but wet fields continue to delay parts of the U.S. corn and soybean harvest. Farm Innovation: A new UK robotics hub will help food and farming businesses adopt technologies such as automated fruit pickers, as growers seek ways to manage labor shortages.

Water and Crops: With El Niño threatening water supplies in the Philippines’ Bicol region, irrigation officials are adjusting planting schedules, rationing water and promoting short-duration crops. Freeze Relief: New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer proposed grants for growers hit by an April freeze that caused an estimated $300 million in agricultural losses across 13 states; a separate bill would develop crop insurance for freeze damage. Harvest: Saskatchewan is 82% done, still behind its five- and 10-year averages after wet weather delayed fieldwork. Manitoba’s harvest reached 65% by Oct. 6 as drier conditions helped crews catch up. Farm Costs: Diesel prices remain a heavy burden. A federal tax break of 24.4 cents per gallon offers limited relief, while North Carolina diesel prices have climbed 72% in a year. Soil Health: Ethiopian researchers report improved yields from soil-management work using amendments, compost and biofertilizers to address acidity, salinity and waterlogging.

El Niño Damage: Drought has cost Bohol farmers an estimated ₱173.7 million, with rice accounting for most losses; officials are preparing cloud seeding. In Northern Samar, dry conditions have affected 917 farmers and 269 hectares, prompting a state of calamity. Farm Costs: Canadian farmer Michael Decock says soaring diesel prices make it uneconomic to recover some rain-damaged hay, while U.S. growers say temporary diesel-tax relief offers little help against record fuel costs. Crop Pressures: British potato growers report smaller harvests after heat and drought, raising concerns about the cost and viability of future crops. In Ireland, 676 farms stopped growing tillage crops this year amid low returns and difficult conditions. Trade: Nigerian opposition leader Atiku Abubakar says the agricultural trade balance swung from a ₦740 billion surplus to a ₦56 billion deficit in a year, while exports fell 33.3%; he blames government policy and rising costs.

Fuel Costs: Farmers and truckers say President Trump’s dyed-diesel order offers limited relief as U.S. diesel averages $6.30 a gallon, more than 70% above last year. Many farmers already qualify for the fuel, while state-by-state rules complicate its use. Farm Investment: UAE-based Elite Agro Holding announced Dhs660 million in projects across Mauritania, Morocco and the UAE, spanning more than 9,300 hectares and including a new blueberry operation. Sugar Industry: The Sugar Council welcomed Coca-Cola’s pledge to use Negros-produced sugar but urged the company to source Filipino sugar nationwide to support growers and the wider industry. Climate Risks: A strengthening El Niño threatens maize and bean harvests across southern Africa, while drought in Karnataka has devastated crops and pushed the state to seek federal aid. Seeds and Research: USDA announced a $180 million seed initiative aimed at strengthening U.S. supply and supporting crop breeding; India and Ghana also signed a five-year agricultural research and technology-sharing agreement.

Diesel Relief & Harvest Costs: In the US Midwest and South, President Trump’s executive order and several governors’ moves are loosening rules on tax-free red-dyed diesel for farmers and ranchers during harvest, but farmers still report diesel near or above $6/gal and warn margins are getting crushed. Fuel-to-Food Pressure: A South Africa report says higher diesel is already working its way from tractors and trucks to supermarket prices. Water Security & El Niño: India’s water minister called for Centre-state coordination and a “circular water economy,” while Kenya is accelerating rainwater harvesting ahead of El Niño, and southern Madagascar braces for renewed hunger as aid cuts and inflation bite. Crop & Input Updates: Dhanuka Agritech launched Fujita systemic fungicide for rice blast control in India. Farm Policy vs Reality: Commentaries from Kenya and elsewhere argue agriculture transformation must move from promises to practical farmer outcomes. Local Farming Resilience: Nepal’s paddy farmers in Kanchanpur are using phone forecasts to time harvest, and Uganda’s MPs were urged to turn climate talk into action. Ag Tech & Livestock: China is pushing AI and “high-quality” livestock development as pork demand peaks.

Diesel Relief for Harvest: President Trump signed an order letting dyed/red diesel be used on highways through 2027, while deferring the federal highway diesel tax—aimed at easing record fuel costs for farmers and grain trucking. State Action in Iowa: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also suspended penalties tied to dyed diesel on public roads for specific farm product hauling, running through Feb. 2, 2027. Farmer Stress Signals: A Purdue/CME survey found higher input costs became the top concern for U.S. farmers in September, with sentiment weakening as financial outlooks slid. El Niño Impacts Water and Crops: In the Philippines, Bohol reported P173.69M in drought losses and is preparing cloud seeding; in Uganda, MPs were urged to focus on preventing climate disasters. Tech for Smarter Farming: Malaysia’s AI crop app helps farmers diagnose issues from photos and choose pesticides more accurately, while Illinois researchers are building an AI robot to detect soybean diseases earlier. Seed Security Push: USDA announced a $180M Seed Sovereignty Initiative to protect and sequence U.S. plant genetic resources.

El Niño food-security planning: The Philippines’ DA says it has buffer stocks to cover Super El Niño through March 2027, while rolling out solar irrigation, pumps and biofertilizers and coordinating with labor agencies for farmers unable to plant. Drought response in India: India’s Centre has formed a team to assess Maharashtra’s drought-hit talukas and speed central relief, as farmers report crop losses and cattle distress. Water-smart farming advice: DA Mimaropa urged rain-fed farmers to conserve water, keep irrigation systems clean, and boost soil moisture with organic matter and biofertilizers as El Niño looms. Diesel relief and harvest logistics (US): Missouri issued a temporary dyed-diesel and weight-cap waiver for farm shipments through Oct. 30, while farmers across the Midwest continue pushing for broader diesel cost relief during harvest. Crop and market signals: Corn and soybeans slipped on dry-weather harvest pressure in the US Midwest, while South Africa’s winter wheat harvest is forecast to hit an eight-year low, likely lifting imports. On-farm innovation: A Massachusetts farm won a solar farmer award for agrivoltaics, growing crops beneath panels while powering farm operations. Residue and environment: Punjab promoted school carpooling to cut smog, and Bathinda’s village launched free straw baling to curb stubble burning.

Conservation & Cranberries: Buzzards Bay Coalition bought 100 acres of cranberry bog land along Route 6 to restore Beaver Dam Creek, using $700,000 in Community Preservation funds and adding a conservation restriction to protect the site long term. Harvest Season Events: Elliot Farm’s Oct. 10 Harvest Festival for Charity and Sainte-Marie among the Hurons’ Hometown Harvest Festival (Oct. 10–12) bring farm animals, pick-your-own pumpkins, food, and local vendors to the Thanksgiving weekend crowd. Farm Economy Pressure: Farmers are still wrestling with high costs and uneven weather—Illinois growers report corn yield hits from a “roller coaster” summer of dry spells and heavy rain. Grain Storage Bottleneck: CHS says U.S. grain storage hasn’t kept up with production, creating elevator bottlenecks and quality issues as corn yields and harvest volumes climb. Food Safety: FDA rolled out a plan to prevent future Cyclospora outbreaks, including tighter surveillance of linked foods and expanded lab capacity. Policy & Markets: Kenya’s Coffee Act 2026 opens more marketing channels for coffee farmers, aiming for faster, more reliable payments.

Grain Markets: Chicago wheat climbed nearly 1% as Black Sea shipping disruptions linger, while corn eased on pressure from large US inventories and soybeans edged up, with traders watching the pace of the US harvest. Drought & Crop Losses: Maharashtra’s government declared 265 tehsils drought-affected as soybean fields dry up, and farmers warn the dry spell could be worse than past crises. Food Security Under Pressure: Nigeria’s farm communities are being hit by kidnappings that keep workers away from fields, threatening harvests and supplies. Climate Flooding: Thailand’s floods are now affecting 26 provinces and Bangkok, with more than 1.17 million households impacted. Farm Safety & Labor: A farmer in India’s Medak district was electrocuted while harvesting fodder, highlighting ongoing rural power risks. Policy & Finance: Zimbabwe has paid/issued over $500m in compensation to former white commercial farmers as it tries to rebuild investor trust. Ag Tech & Inputs: Corteva split into two firms—crop protection and seed/genetics—aiming for faster innovation for growers facing rising costs and weather swings.

Food Security & Farm Finance: Egypt’s PM Mostafa Madbouly reviewed settlement of sugarcane farmers’ dues and strategic commodity procurement prices, with officials saying billions have been paid and more monitoring is planned. Climate Prep & Inputs: The Philippines’ DA says it’s “more prepared” for a potential “super El Niño,” expanding food storage, pre-buying rice and farm inputs, and adding fuel support while shifting to soil and foliar ameliorants. Irrigation Push: The Philippines targets 10,000 solar-powered irrigation sites by 2030 to cut diesel costs, while Tanzania is investing 33.9bn/- to expand irrigation to 3,500 hectares in Mpanda. Harvest Economics & Costs: U.S. Farm Bureau leaders are urging diesel tax relief as harvest fuel costs climb, and Minnesota lawmakers seek red-dyed diesel access on roads. On-Farm Innovation: Santa Cruz County in California is testing steam soil treatment as a pesticide alternative for berry fields. Crop & Market Updates: Yakima’s fall harvest is boosting local hotels and restaurants; Malawi tomato farmers want steadier markets as SMEDCO buys surplus to prevent losses. Disaster & Risk: Crete’s Lasithi region faces severe flooding damaging potatoes and vegetables; Sudan’s South Darfur saw hail destroy at least 3,750 farms. Safety & Policy: MnDOT warns drivers about slow-moving harvest equipment and dust hazards on rural roads. Conflict Impact on Agriculture: In the West Bank, olive harvesters face raids and violence as settlers and soldiers disrupt picking.

Solar Irrigation Push (Philippines): The government plans to expand solar-powered pump irrigation to 10,000 sites by 2030, aiming to cut farmers’ irrigation costs and boost climate resilience, with NIA already running 4,036 sites across 43 provinces. Farmgate Pressure (Bangladesh): Early winter vegetable supplies have surged in Dinajpur, pushing prices down for consumers but squeezing farmers’ ability to recover production costs. Season Start Rules (Southern Africa): A guide breaks down how agronomists define “start of season” using rainfall thresholds and soil moisture depth—highlighting the tradeoff between early planting and false starts. Mechanization Trend (China): A sugarcane harvester maker says its machines now cover about half of China’s market by volume as the industry leans harder into mechanization to cut costs. Input Cost Squeeze (UK): Farmers face tough decisions on whether to pause phosphate and potash, with agronomy groups warning long-term soil nutrient declines can hit yields. Security Threat (Nigeria): Kidnappings are keeping farmers away from fields, with rural harvest losses raising food security fears. Harvest Weather (Nepal): Monsoon withdrawal is underway, but weak winds may still bring light-to-moderate rain in coming days, affecting paddy harvest planning.