AGP Executive Report

Farm Support: The Philippines’ House-approved 2027 budget adds ₱10 billion for farmer and fisherfolk aid, ₱4.09 billion for irrigation and nearly ₱5 billion for farm-to-market roads ahead of a potential El Niño. Price Pressures: Philippine hog farmers are losing money as farmgate prices fall while retail pork stays expensive; lawmakers are examining supply-chain markups. Karnataka sugarcane growers blocked highways, demanding higher prices and overdue payments. Water Security: Kenya’s Ziwa 2 irrigation project will bring 500 acres under cultivation and serve 1,000 farmers, helping shift production beyond rain-fed crops. Rising Costs: Ireland is preparing fuel and fertiliser support, including a €46 million fertiliser scheme. In Bolivia, a farmer is turning plastic, tires and used oil into cheaper tractor fuel after diesel subsidies ended. Reducing Food Loss: Nigerian businesses are using solar-powered dryers and cold storage to preserve produce that would otherwise spoil, tackling severe post-harvest losses.

US Farm Policy: The House passed its version of a new Farm Bill, with crop insurance, market access and research among its priorities. It still needs Senate action. Investment: The World Bank plans to mobilize up to $5.79 billion in private financing for Nigeria, including agriculture, with 850,000 jobs projected. The Philippines is also pitching $57.4 million in investments for coffee, seaweed, mango, jackfruit and cocoa at the FAO’s Rome forum. Food Security: FAO warns intensifying droughts and floods could push more than 132 million people into extreme poverty by 2030, with agrifood systems under growing strain. Farm Technology: Researchers report an AI tool that identifies jute pests from photos with 98.43% accuracy, potentially helping farmers detect crop threats sooner. Aquaculture: A major investigation finds farmed seafood’s reliance on wild-caught fish for feed can increase pressure on fish stocks, divert food from communities and obscure environmental and labor abuses.

Rice Innovation: Syngenta and Japan’s Kyoyu Agri plan to bring a new herbicide to Asian rice farms, targeting weeds resistant to existing treatments. Biodiversity: An Italian rice farmer has restored a third of her land to woodland and wetlands, while growing traditional rice varieties with fewer chemical inputs. Farm Investment: McCain Foods is acquiring a Gujarat potato processor, adding links with more than 1,000 farmers as it expands in India. Rising Costs: Indonesian egg farmers face higher corn and feed prices while egg prices remain low, squeezing margins. Biofuel Plans: Indonesia is mapping farm hubs to supply crops for planned ethanol blends, aiming to reduce fuel imports without relying on imported ethanol. Farm Resilience: Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s new research program will tackle climate pressures, resistant weeds and soil health with practical solutions for producers. Water Policy: An Australian regional mayor warns further water buybacks could deepen job losses in irrigation-dependent communities.

El Niño Readiness: Drought is already threatening rice land in Candon, Philippines, where about 5,000 farmers are at risk; the city is preparing fuel aid as solar-powered irrigation expands elsewhere in the region. South African analysts also warn that hotter, drier conditions could hit maize harvests and food prices. Farm Costs: Surging diesel and fertilizer prices are squeezing producers, including U.S. farmers heading into harvest, while rising global food prices add pressure on import-dependent countries. Farm Policy: Canada’s proposed omnibus bill would simplify access to farm cash advances and speed approvals for some agricultural inputs. Resilient Growth: Andhra Pradesh’s proposed $12 billion horticulture plan aims to improve irrigation, roads and market access across drought-prone Rayalaseema, shifting farmers toward higher-value crops. Farm Technology: A UK trial is testing probability-based weather forecasts to help growers judge the risks of spraying, drilling and spreading fertilizer. Market Power: An agricultural advocate warns that corporate concentration in livestock markets has squeezed independent farmers and reshaped rural communities.

El Niño Preparations: The Philippines is expanding solar-powered irrigation in Eastern Visayas, where a new project will supply year-round water to 70 hectares and cut farmers’ fuel costs. In Ilocos Sur, Candon is preparing for drought that could affect 5,000 rice farmers, with nearly 70% of the city’s rice land already showing signs of drying. Farm Finance: More than 5,700 farmer groups in Kenya’s Homa Bay County received Sh28.8 million in grants to support rice, coffee, banana, cotton and dairy production. Supply Chains: Philippine ube exports are growing, but production is falling, raising concerns that farmers and processors may struggle to meet international demand. Weather Risks: Heavy rain and flooding have damaged harvest-ready crops in Nepal, threatening grain quality and raising the prospect of higher food imports. Farmer Markets: A report on regenerative farming in Ireland says direct sales and local food schemes could help farmers retain more value and gain greater influence over prices.

Food Costs: Ghanaian households are pressing for action as rising prices hit essentials including tomatoes, onions, rice and fish. Residents want better storage, lower transport costs and stronger market oversight. Farm Fuel: Trump says Russia will send diesel to US and global markets, but analysts doubt the promised volumes can deliver lasting relief; high fuel costs are already squeezing farmers during harvest. Climate Risks: Telangana is preparing for possible El Niño-driven pressure on water, irrigation and power, while Kenyan farmers report mounting stress as erratic weather threatens crops and livestock. Farm Support: EU subsidies made up 38.9% of Irish farm income in 2025, their lowest share in 25 years, though dependence remained much higher in the west. Productivity: A new global report says farm productivity growth averaged just 0.63% annually in 2015–24, far below the 2.1% now needed through 2050; researchers see regenerative practices as one potential way to lift output while using fewer inputs. Agricultural Technology: India hosted a UN-backed meeting on using AI and digital connectivity in food systems, with participants discussing responsible applications for agriculture.

Fuel & Farm Costs: Russia agreed to supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to US and global markets as prices near record highs squeeze agriculture; analysts say the deal may not keep prices down. Water & Inputs: New Zealand’s National party proposed $300 million in low-cost water-storage loans and fertiliser security deals, citing supply-chain risks. Farm Viability: Ireland lost 676 tillage farmers in 2026, while a UK survey found 42% of farmers had considered leaving amid financial pressure and uncertainty. Resilience: Ghana has begun a 175-hectare water-conservation project expected to support year-round farming, while researchers are involving farmers in selecting improved cowpea varieties. Trade & Cooperation: Perlis and Uzbekistan’s Tashkent Region are exploring kenaf cultivation and wider agricultural cooperation. Farm Waste: A new study says crop and forest residues could support cleaner energy, but the benefits depend on local conditions.

Farm Fuel Squeeze: Diesel prices near record highs are pressuring producers and transporters. Trump says Russia will supply diesel to US and global markets, while US states move to ease fuel costs for farmers; the scale and timing of any relief remain uncertain. Harvest Under Threat: Palestinian olive growers face growing barriers to their land and attacks on farmers and trees as the harvest season begins, threatening a crop central to local livelihoods and heritage. Climate Resilience: Nepal’s deadly floods expose the need for adaptation that protects homes and livelihoods, not just temporary post-disaster rebuilding. Farm Technology: NASA is working with US farmers on a phone app that uses satellite data to track crop health, soil moisture, pests and planting conditions. Seafood’s Hidden Costs: A major investigation into fishmeal finds that more than a fifth of marine life taken from the oceans is used as feed for farmed fish, raising questions about aquaculture’s environmental toll.

Climate and Water: El Niño preparations are intensifying in the Philippines, where Bicol’s irrigation agency is adjusting planting schedules, rotating water deliveries and considering solar pumps to protect crops from drought. Farm Costs: NFU Scotland says surging energy prices threaten domestic food production and wants fuel-duty relief extended, plus a fund to help farms invest in renewable power and storage. Policy and Markets: Britain’s Sustainable Farming Incentive funding ran out in under six hours, leaving a gap for farmers’ nature-friendly work. In the US, steep beef tariffs cuts will open the door to 661 million pounds of imports, prompting concern among ranchers already facing drought and shrinking herds. Trade and Innovation: Türkiye’s agricultural exports hit a record $27.1 billion for January–September, up 4.4% year on year. In England, a £6.3 million investment will expand farm robotics research, including tools to control weeds and pick fruit.

Trade Tensions: Hundreds of French farmers rallied against the EU-Mercosur pact, fearing cheaper imports produced under different environmental and animal-welfare rules. Protests spread across 39 departments. Water and Inputs: New Zealand’s National Party pledged $300 million in loans for farm water storage and plans to negotiate fertiliser-supply agreements if elected. In the Philippines, irrigation officials are adjusting planting schedules and water delivery as El Niño raises drought risks. Farm Rules: The EU adopted common emissions rules for poultry and pig farms, targeting ammonia, nitrogen and phosphorus while allowing operators to choose how to meet standards. Farm Finances: U.S. farm debt hit a record $605 billion, and officials say nontraditional lending may mean the total is undercounted. Canadian farmland values rose 3.8% in the first half of 2026, though higher costs and trade uncertainty are slowing growth. Seeds and Drought: Researchers warn counterfeit seeds threaten African farmers’ harvests and climate resilience. In Nigeria, researchers paired satellite data with farmer reports to track drought damage to rice crops.

Farm finances: U.S. farm debt has topped $605 billion, a record that may understate borrowing as growers turn to suppliers, equipment makers and other lenders. Rising fuel costs are squeezing margins too: Montana diesel averaged $6.23 a gallon, while USDA forecasts U.S. farm fuel and oil spending will rise $4.8 billion this year. Food security: Nigeria’s federal and state governments, alongside development partners, are working on a 10-year plan to boost production, finance, irrigation and market access. India and Ghana also signed an agreement to expand agricultural research and technology transfer. Trade and crop security: A new USDA initiative commits $180 million to map crop genetics and strengthen the U.S. seed supply. Separately, a policy brief says Russia is using occupied Ukrainian ports to move grain and other commodities through its trade networks. Climate pressure: Drought is drying wells and damaging crops in Sri Lanka, while forecasters warn a strong El Niño could bring floods and leave California farms with less snowpack to replenish water supplies.

Food-System Risks: WWF warns food production must change to help avert biodiversity collapse, as monitored wildlife populations have fallen an average 73% since 1970. Water & Resilience: Agriculture uses 77% of Tunisia’s annual water supply, prompting calls to rethink export crops and repair aging irrigation networks. Farm Costs: U.S. diesel averaged $6.30 a gallon, more than 70% above a year ago; farmers and truckers say the temporary tax deferral offers little relief. Technology & Trade: China is expanding use of smart harvesters, drones and new-energy tractors, while Pakistan is seeking Russian farm technology and local research partnerships. El Salvador has also launched a hybrid advisory service combining field visits with digital support for growers.

Fuel-cost squeeze on farms: Georgia suspended penalties for using off-road “dyed” diesel on-road, echoing a wider push for fuel relief as diesel prices surge and harvest operations get tighter. Policy uncertainty hits farm planning: A UK survey found 86% of farmers say government policy uncertainty is hurting their ability to plan, alongside rising input costs and pessimism about future food supply. World Bank macro outlook with ag implications: The Bank kept Ghana’s 2026 growth forecast at 4.8% and projected modest growth for Latin America and the Caribbean (2.2%), while warning that shocks and policy choices shape resilience. Food security funding call: FAO urged urgent emergency investment for Near East and North Africa as conflict and funding shortfalls threaten food production and livelihoods. Agri-food data push in Abu Dhabi: Statistics Centre–Abu Dhabi and Silal signed an SLA to strengthen data exchange and statistical capacity for agriculture and food decision-making. New ag-tech research: A study suggests biodegradable nanoparticles carrying gibberellic acid can boost grape yield and quality. Trade and cooperation: Lebanon and Spain discussed agricultural cooperation, including irrigation modernization, unconventional water and insurance. Farm viability debate in Ireland: ICSA said Budget 2027 fuel support helps but lacks enough overall agriculture funding to protect farm viability.

Diesel Relief Meets Harvest Reality (US): Trump signed an executive order temporarily letting dyed, tax-free diesel be used on highways, aiming to cut costs for truckers and farmers; states can still set their own rules, and USDA is monitoring whether the shift strains local fuel supplies during peak demand. Fuel Shock on Farms (US): Purdue/CME’s Ag Economy Barometer shows record diesel prices pushing farmer sentiment down, with input and profitability worries likely to linger into early 2027. Farm-to-School Push (US): Colorado launched Farm to School Meal Month Showcase Awards to boost local sourcing, while Colorado Proud highlights farmer-student connections through events and recipes. Livestock Policy & Prices (Philippines): Oriental Mindoro recommended live hog and pork price ranges to guide transactions, after consultations and cost monitoring tied to animal health and production expenses. Food Processing Capacity (Canada): Salmon Arm’s Zest Food Hub won a national collaboration award, expanding 24/7 commercial kitchen access for early-stage food entrepreneurs. Agriculture Finance & Modernization (Moldova): Moldova approved talks on loans to modernize agricultural machinery and expand technical vocational education, including support for post-harvest equipment and training. Animal Health & Extension (Guyana): NAREI received about G$60m in vehicles to strengthen extension services and surveillance for the carambola fruit fly. Sheep Welfare Funding (Ireland): Budget 2027 earmarked €22m to continue the National Sheep Welfare Scheme, with per-ewe payments and health actions for participation.

Diesel Relief for Farmers: President Trump signed an executive order easing limits on tax-free red-dyed diesel, with USDA saying it could deliver about $640m in federal and state savings for farmers and ranchers ahead of midterms. Contract Risk in Drought Season: South African legal experts warn El Niño isn’t a “legal event,” but its hotter, drier impacts can still trigger major supply-chain and delivery disputes—so producers should tighten risk allocation in contracts. Global Food Week in Abu Dhabi: The 2026 Global Food Week opened with 2,580 exhibitors from 92 countries, spotlighting food security, investment, and innovation across the value chain. World Bank Growth Watch: The World Bank downgraded Cambodia’s 2026 growth to 3.5% (tourism slump, higher fuel costs) and flagged El Niño risks to agricultural recovery; it also said Sri Lanka’s economy is back near 2018 levels but poverty and food security remain concerns. Ag Tech Funding Push: North Dakota’s NSF AgTech Engine launched new seed funding for later-stage ag startups, arguing precision tools must prove farm value, not just adoption. Soil and Food Waste: Nestlé highlights soil degradation in coffee regions, while UNEP says rotting food waste drives up to 10% of global greenhouse gases—far worse than aviation. Rural Cooperation in Ireland: CAP Network Ireland released case studies showing cooperation as a practical catalyst for change in rural development, land access, and biodiversity.

H-2A Farmworker Wages: A California judge set a Dec. 30 deadline for the U.S. Labor Department to adopt a new seasonal foreign farmworker wage scale, with wages potentially reverting to the Biden-era levels if the deadline slips. Livestock Health Surveillance: Greece began serological testing for sheep and goat pox at 153 livestock farms in Epirus, prioritizing animals over one year old and those with lesions, while farmers press for clear next steps if antibodies are found. Smart Farming Push (Moldova): Moldova’s agriculture minister says the country will scale “smart agriculture” nationwide using AI, satellites and soil science, backed by a science-based sector study planned for 2027. Plant Genetic Resources (Nigeria): A feature highlights how Nigeria can use the Plant Treaty’s multilateral system to access diverse, climate-resilient seeds and share benefits from breeding and research. Food Safety Roles (Nigeria): NAFDAC’s DG said Nigerians misunderstand food-safety regulation, stressing NAFDAC oversees processed/semi-processed foods and pesticide controls, not fresh produce sold in markets. Soil Risk (UN Report): A new FAO “Status of the World’s Soil Resources 2026” report flags erosion as a major threat, with a U.S.-based academic lead author focusing on the gap between natural soil formation and human-caused loss. Ag Tech Demo (AGCO): AGCO showcased autonomy, AI and mixed-fleet connectivity at Tech Day, aiming to improve farmer profitability through connected tools across the crop cycle. Trade Policy (G20): The U.S. hosted G20 trade ministers in Milwaukee, with a focus on eliminating forced labor, updating MFN, and condemning the weaponization of food. El Niño Planning (Philippines): Quezon province agriculture officials coordinated interventions as El Niño affects most regions, targeting support for farmers and fisherfolk. Farmland Credit (South Korea): New farmland-backed lending fell nearly 20% after a nationwide audit tightened uncertainty around farmland prices and collateral values.