AGP Executive Report

El Niño Pressure on Farms: India’s Punjab paddy farmers are bracing for a weaker monsoon as forecasters warn a strong El Niño could mean a long rainfall deficit, higher irrigation costs, and more stress on groundwater. Food-Security Prep: The FAO is urging early action ahead of El Niño, warning agriculture-dependent communities could face major food crises later this year and into early 2027. Water Crisis in Europe: Italy’s Po River is seeing saltwater push up to 18 km inland during an early heatwave, forcing irrigation curbs and putting crops like soybeans, maize, rice, and alfalfa at risk. Pollinator Risk: Research links low-dose sulfoxaflor exposure to molecular changes in bumblebees, raising concerns about crop protection choices and future pollination. Local Harvest Stories: Oman’s Sohar Mango Gene Bank is preserving 252 mango varieties for long-term breeding and resilience, while Namibia’s Omushiyo Mixed Farm is celebrating a second potato harvest—40 tonnes from one hectare. Rural Jobs Boost: Jordan and the IsDB-backed HOPE program signed in Vienna aims to expand rural employment and climate-smart farming through improved finance and value chains. Farm Economy Strain: U.S. farm income is in a prolonged downturn, with bankruptcies rising and producers “cutting back on expenditures and inputs” to survive.

Disaster Relief for Virginia Farmers: USDA approved a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for 43 primary and 61 contiguous counties after late-spring frost and freeze damage, with some losses reported above 30% and growers facing delays until the 2027 season. Water Stress Hits Italy’s Po Valley: A severe heatwave has pushed seawater inland as Po River flows plunge, threatening irrigation and crops in northern Italy’s dairy and farming heartland. Drought Deepens in U.S. Southside: Southside’s worst drought in nearly 20 years is cutting forage production sharply, with extreme drought conditions persisting and soil moisture worsening after windy, dry weather. Farm Policy and Funding Moves: Pakistan approved a National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy to modernize agriculture, while Fiji announced budget support for non-sugar crops and livestock research, extension, mechanisation and market access. Market and Production Updates: Kashmir CA-stored apples sold nearly all remaining stock but at average-to-low returns due to glut and quality issues; Zimbabwe farmers sold 135,000 tonnes of maize by mid-June, up 71% year-on-year. Rural Innovation and Inputs: Nigeria’s cassava push is shifting from production to industrial processing, and Jigawa State launched a wet-season support package including 6,000 solar pumps and fertiliser for 90,000 farmers.

Drought & Water Stress: Italy’s Po River is drying fast in the heatwave, with seawater intrusion forcing some irrigation canals shut and raising fears for July crops tied to Parmesan milk production. Harvest Updates: Wheat harvest is winding down in Kansas’ Hays area after wet weather slowed progress, while China’s Shanxi province is pushing summer wheat harvesting toward completion by month-end. Farm Safety: A 69-year-old farmer in Andhra Pradesh was trampled to death by a wild elephant while harvesting paddy, underscoring risks during night fieldwork. Policy & Support: Virginia received a USDA disaster declaration for frost and freeze damage across dozens of counties, aiming to help farmers through the next growing season. Market Pressure: A Farm Bureau survey says a Fourth of July cookout cost about 4% more than last year, highlighting how inflation squeezes food budgets even as farmers get a small share of each dollar. Horticulture Trade: India’s GI-tagged Rewa Sundarja mangoes made their first commercial export to the UAE, starting a push for regular shipments. Land & Rights: Karnataka’s deputy CM says farmers won’t be forcibly evicted for the GBIT project and land will be acquired only with consent, with compensation open to revision. Agriculture Jobs: Ireland posted new openings for dairy farm assistants in Cork and Limerick, plus meat processing roles across multiple locations.

Water Stress in Burundi Rice: In Mpanda, western Burundi, rice farmers say an unusually long B farming season and unfair irrigation practices are leaving less than half of about 20 hectares likely to mature, threatening major harvest losses. UK Growers Turn Waste Into Food: A five-year deal pairs Upcycled Plant Power with East of Scotland Growers to recover broccoli stems and leaves for plant-based protein and fiber, aiming to cut harvesting costs and create new revenue. Local Markets Keep Rolling: Edina’s farmers market opens for the season with weekly vendors, music, and family activities, while Cherokee Nation’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program loads $100 cards for elders to buy local produce from authorized vendors. Farm Policy & Costs Watch: Wisconsin farmers report harvest and planting delays tied to wet, cold weather and rising input costs, with profits squeezed even when yields hold up. Research & Training: The University of Wyoming launches a Controlled Environment Agriculture Network to build workforce skills and speed innovation in year-round indoor farming. Crop Progress in the Midwest: USDA reports strong corn and soybean emergence in Indiana and generally good conditions in Michigan, though development is slower than Indiana.

Fish Farming Shock: Tilapia cage operators at Magat Dam in Ramon, Isabela are facing million-peso losses after a massive fish kill blamed on oxygen depletion during prolonged hot weather, with growers forced to sell surviving fish far below normal prices. Rice & Input Pressure: USDA raised its Philippines rice import forecast to 5.20M MT for 2026-27 as milled output is expected to fall, citing higher fuel and fertilizer costs and reduced water levels. Pest Threat Spreads: Negros Occidental is forming a province-wide task force to stop red-striped soft-scale insects, now moving from sugarcane into corn and vegetables. Farmers Under Heat Stress: A new EU-OSHA update flags agriculture as the sector most exposed to extreme heat, with many workers facing high temperatures for large parts of the day. Regenerative Push: USDA finalized a Regenerative Feedstock Rule linking regenerative practices to biofuel markets for corn, soybeans, sorghum and spring canola. Value-Add Moves: Cameroon’s Chocolat Rouge says its cocoa processing plant is starting up, aiming for chocolate bars in weeks and more processed exports.

Weather & Water Stress: India’s late, weak monsoon is already delaying sowing and triggering water restrictions in Mumbai, with reservoirs not expected to refill quickly enough. Drought & Energy Risk: Lake Powell in the Colorado River system is at its lowest summer level ever, with federal projections warning of a drop toward “minimum power pool,” raising the specter of major power and environmental impacts. Crop Progress (Canada): Saskatchewan seeding is 99% complete, but about 3% of acres went unseeded due to excessive moisture, and some forage and pasture areas face yield or carrying-capacity hits. Harvest Disruption (U.S.): Kansas wheat harvest is over halfway and running early, but drought and a late freeze cut yields, while rains still keep some farmers out of fields. Flood Losses (U.S.): South Mississippi watermelon growers are facing heavy losses after weeks of rain and flooding, with fields too wet to harvest and fruit rotting or splitting. Pest Pressure (Philippines): In Negros Occidental, red-striped soft-scale insects have spread beyond sugarcane to corn and vegetables, prompting a province-wide task force. Policy & Inputs (U.S./Iran): Trump says released Iranian assets will be used to buy U.S. crops, including wheat, soybeans and corn, as part of an Iran supplemental request. Pest & Specialty Crops (California): California lawmakers urge USDA emergency funding to fight the glassy-winged sharpshooter, a threat to vineyards via Pierce’s disease. Livestock/Water Quality (Philippines): A massive fish kill at Magat Dam is blamed on oxygen depletion during hot weather, hitting tilapia cage operators with losses ahead of harvest.

Policy & Trade: Philippines Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered a halt to importing bioethanol feedstock (molasses, sugar, sugarcane, syrups) to protect the domestic sugar industry and farmers. Climate Risk: Singapore’s haze outlook warns of a “red alert” risk of severe haze later this year as El Niño returns and biofuel-driven deforestation could add fuel to fires. Grains & Markets: Mexico’s corn output is forecast to fall 2% to 24.3M tonnes as farmers cut planted area; imports are expected to rise. Fertilizer Pressure: A U.S. Farm Bureau survey says nearly 70% of farmers can’t afford needed fertilizer, with costs still squeezing farm plans. Pesticide Safety: Vermont became the first U.S. state to ban paraquat, citing a possible link to Parkinson’s. Horticulture Exports: India shipped its first commercial sea load of Banganapalle mangoes to Singapore, nearly doubling returns for growers. Local Support: Karnataka approved Market Intervention Scheme aid of Rs 1,750 per quintal for Totapuri mangoes after price drops. On-Farm Practice: UW–Madison Extension set a July 1 Nitrogen and Soil Management Field Day focused on soil health and smarter nitrogen use.

Monsoon & heat stress: India’s monsoon has pushed into Central India, but officials warn of lightning and gusty winds as June rainfall deficits stay severe, while the Centre has mapped 315 at-risk districts and urged faster water-harvesting repairs and contingency cropping. EU farm policy: EU member states get room to use up to 20% of CAP funds for coupled income support, with extra flexibility for protein crops and at-risk farming areas. Crop & soil impacts: Europe’s drought and moisture stress are firming grain prices, and Kentucky State research points to pine-sawdust biochar as a longer-term fix for acidic soils under soybeans. Farm resilience tools: California launched the Regen Ag Planner to help growers map regenerative options and funding, and Azerbaijan is expanding agricultural insurance payouts. Local farm pressures: Punjab’s storage crisis is worsening as godowns choke with old rice and incoming paddy, while Arkansas watermelon fields and other crops face flash-flood damage. Market & food costs: Farm Bureau estimates a record-high Fourth of July cookout cost, reflecting higher grocery prices. Agri trade & exports: Vietnam and China urged stronger value chains and faster market access, while Vĩnh Long pomelo growers scale export-ready production for China. Food security & community: Duluth’s farmers market is seeing steady demand despite unseasonable weather, and Nepalgunj schools closed again due to extreme heat.

Heatwave Strikes Europe’s Farms and Power Systems: Record temperatures across western Europe have killed dozens, shut schools, disrupted transport, and knocked out electricity—forcing farmers to harvest grain at night while France prioritizes power restoration for hospitals and retirement homes. Drought Pressure in Virginia: Virginia is in its driest stretch since 1941, with crops shriveling and growth stalling; corn and vegetables are hit hardest, and low hay supplies are pushing producers to dip into winter stocks early. UK Farm Policy Roadmap: The UK government unveiled a farming “roadmap” aimed at helping growers cope with climate extremes and cut reliance on costly inputs, including extra funding for innovation, robotics, and soil and water management. Moldova Agri-Finance Boost: Moldova has approved talks for a €150m preferential EIB loan under “Livada Moldovei II,” targeting modernization, post-harvest infrastructure, irrigation, and EU-standard alignment. Plant Health Tech Demand: A market report says plant disease diagnostics is set to grow to US$8.9bn by 2033 as precision agriculture and crop-loss concerns drive adoption. Crop Damage From Storms (US): A Gibson County farmer faces major losses after Sunday hail destroyed hundreds of acres of corn just as it approached pollination. Fresh Olive Oil Drop (US): LOT22 Olive Oil released its Southern Hemisphere harvest, emphasizing “just-milled” oil for California shoppers.

Monsoon Watch: India is drawing up contingency plans for 300+ weak-monsoon districts after rains ran ~43% below average, with officials urging faster Kharif support and short-duration crop shifts if needed. Input Costs & Policy Pressure: In Punjab, the Kisan Ittehad president says yields are falling and farmers face water shortages, substandard seed, and rising fertilizer costs, while also criticizing wheat enforcement as harassment. Water & Soil Risk: A new report warns India’s “water deficit” is a hidden fiscal liability as water depletion ripples through jobs, prices, and growth. Farm Weather Hits Hard: Kansas wheat harvest is paused by severe storms and hail, while South Alabama growers report heavy rain cracking tomatoes and flooding fields that trap watermelon growers. Conservation Incentives: Iowa is expanding cover-crop incentives upstream from Des Moines to cut nitrates threatening drinking-water treatment. Food Security Strategy: Canada launched a $3B, 10-year National Food Security Strategy to boost domestic production, competition, and reduce regulatory burdens. Rural Infrastructure: Nigeria’s FCT is expanding rural roads to reconnect farming communities to markets and services. Pollinators: An EU white paper calls for measurable pollinator stewardship across agriculture and chemicals policy to protect food systems and ecosystems.

Monsoon Watch: India’s southwest monsoon has finally reached Mumbai, but rainfall is still running about 43% below normal so far, raising fresh alarms for farmers and water planning. Kharif Preparedness: India’s agriculture ministry says it’s rolling out a special contingency plan for 315 vulnerable districts as El Niño risk and weak rains threaten rainfed crops. Grain Innovation: Oklahoma State University released “hard purple wheat” with higher anthocyanins, aiming to give consumers whole-grain health benefits without changing flour performance. Farmgate Prices: Zambia’s Hichilema ordered the maize floor price to be announced quickly so farmers can plan sales and production. Coffee Push: Kenya’s Ruto unveiled a plan to lift coffee earnings toward KES 250–300/kg via better seedlings, factory upgrades, and market access. Cocoa Reality Check: Ghana’s cocoa sector is still struggling as climate stress increasingly hits farmers’ ability to adapt, not just yields. Livestock Feed Security: Botswana launched a National Fodder Strategy to cut reliance on imported feed and build climate-resilient local fodder supply. EU Gene Editing: The EU introduced a two-tier gene-editing framework that could make some CRISPR crops easier to bring to market. Conflict on Farms: Nigeria’s Kebbi State reported a farmer-herder clash that killed at least eight after cattle damaged crops. Crop Protection Tech: UK trials are testing a sensor that counts airborne spores to warn farmers before wheat diseases show up.

El Niño Drought Prep: Philippines President Marcos says a severe El Niño could linger until 2027, pushing agencies to speed up irrigation and shift farmers toward less water-hungry crops like watermelon, ginger, purple yam, peanuts and eggplant. Irrigation Investment: In Bohol, the Mabini-Cayacay Small Reservoir Irrigation Project was inaugurated to boost productivity and rural livelihoods as dry spells loom. Field Trials & Weeds: Australia’s 7 Worlds Ag showcased a new herbicide at a vegetable field day, targeting tough weeds in cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Water Quality Funding: Iowa launched the Greater Des Moines Watershed Program, expanding cover-crop cost-share across 22 upstream counties to improve water quality. Flood & Drainage Stress: In Illinois’ Sny Island Levee Drainage District, pump stations are running nonstop after heavy rains, leaving fields too saturated for spraying. Crop Risk From Weather: Manitoba farmers are attempting reseeding after storm damage, while Indiana reports crop variability from wet conditions that could raise disease pressure. Pest Watch: Michigan is urging residents to watch for spotted lanternfly as it spreads beyond southeast areas. Market & Policy Signals: EU officials in Bulgaria called for a stronger, more predictable fisheries policy, while Europe’s protein diversification push aims to cut emissions and feed reliance.

Irrigation Push in the Philippines: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inaugurated the P833.37M Mabini-Cayacay Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Bohol, aimed at year-round water for 530 hectares and 717 farmers, with guidance to shift from water-hungry rice to higher-value, lower-water crops as El Niño risk rises. Sugarcane Pest Alert: In the Visayas, an emergency meeting is set after Red Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) infestations surged to 4,847.63 hectares, threatening thousands of hectares of sugarcane and small farmers’ incomes. Climate-Resilient Farming at UN: India told the UN Human Rights Council it has developed 1,900+ climate-resilient crop varieties and is scaling natural farming and water-saving approaches to protect food security. Biodiversity and Oil Crops: A new global study links expansion of oil palm, soybean, and coconut to a sharp rise in biodiversity loss from 1995–2020, driven by consumption. Farm Risk from Weather: Farmers in Telangana’s erstwhile Adilabad are anxious over monsoon rainfall deficits, with cotton and paddy germination affected. Wildlife Damage Control: Bhutan farmers in Uesa village say a new 4.5km chain-link fence is reducing wild boar losses and improving confidence to plant.

Storm Damage Review: New research on the June 10 Woodbine, Iowa disaster says intense inflow winds feeding a developing tornado caused much of the damage, with the tornado itself reported 4–5 miles south—highlighting how dangerous the wider wind field can be. Harvest Pressure & Costs: Russia’s farm sector faces a diesel crunch ahead of harvest, with farmers warning they can’t afford fuel even as officials claim supply is adequate. Crop Losses From Weather: Goa paddy transplanting is delayed by a 71% rainfall deficit, while Madhya Pradesh chilli, cotton and maize face stress as monsoon rains lag. Water Stress: In India’s Bicholim, villages report worsening shortages tied to pipeline leakages and ask for faster repairs. Farm Management Tips: An Illinois soybean grower credits rolling soybeans in the V1–V4 stage for smoother harvest and a reported yield bump. Rural Support & Jobs: The World Bank approved a $40m Sierra Leone grant to strengthen agricultural value chains and create jobs. Postharvest Fix: Across parts of Africa, farmers are renting solar cold rooms to cut spoilage and protect income.

Climate & Prices: Coffee sticker shock is tied to climate-driven instability in major growing regions, with prices up more than 18% year-on-year—another reminder that farm weather is now hitting grocery budgets fast. El Niño Watch: Forecasters warn “super El Niño” could disrupt food output and threaten hundreds of millions of smallholders, while India braces for a weak monsoon and ripple effects from farm fields to household inflation. Extreme Weather Impacts: Wildfires are already worsening air quality for farmworkers and could force harvest schedule changes; hailstorms in Armenia reportedly wiped out much of the remaining fruit and veg harvest. Market & Policy Moves: Egypt cut wheat imports to 12.5m tonnes after record harvest growth, while Fiji budget talks urged secure markets and fair cane pricing. Farm Operations: Riceland temporarily closed nine rice drying facilities as Arkansas acreage falls to decades-low levels, though storage will continue. Support for Farmers: Nova Scotia announced a $25m drought relief package with Ottawa support, and India’s PM-Kisan releases continue to put cash into farmers’ accounts. Ag Tech & Adaptation: Turkey’s Mediterranean fruit growers are turning to smart greenhouses—automated irrigation, climate controls, and solar—to cope with drought. Local Disputes: Karnataka mango growers threatened a bandh over a price crash, and protests in India’s Bengaluru region target land acquisition for a township project.

Soil & Prices: UK campaigners warn degraded soils could push household food bills higher as El Niño-linked weather volatility increases yield losses and price swings. Crop Outlook (US): Illinois wheat plot tours estimate a 102.8-bushel-per-acre state average, with scouts noting only minor disease pressure so far. Farm Income Support (India): PM-KISAN’s 23rd instalment released Rs 18,880 crore to 9.44 crore farmers, including 2.18 crore women, with state leaders in Assam and Tripura stressing income-boost goals. GMO Rice Debate (Philippines): MASIPAG calls for suspending approval of an iron-zinc enriched GM rice, citing weak biosafety safeguards and risks to farmers and agrobiodiversity. Local Market Sustainability (US): Florida’s Red Hills Online Market says rising operating costs are forcing structural changes to keep the community food hub running. Weather Risk (Global): Forecasters flag a strong El Niño risk, warning tropical “soft commodities” could face major crop disruptions. Farm Training (Philippines): Western Visayas wrapped a two-day ube and taro product-and-market profiling training to help root crop growers plan production and costs.