AGP Executive Report

Drought and Water: El Niño has caused an estimated ₱300 million in crop losses across Eastern Visayas, affecting more than 6,400 farmers and nearly 8,000 hectares. In Fiji, a month-long water shortage is disrupting sugarcane harvesting as families travel to collect supplies. Rice Markets: Telangana’s fine-paddy growers are attracting buyers from neighbouring states, even as drought has cut the area planted to paddy. India says it holds about 40% of global rice exports, underscoring its importance to food security. Digital Agriculture: India has issued 11 crore farmer IDs five months ahead of schedule, aiming to simplify access to credit, insurance and government schemes. Farm Policy: Togo’s lawmakers approved a bill to improve farmers’ access to finance and markets, support local processing and strengthen land security. Sabah set priorities including better infrastructure, technology and climate resilience, with a target to raise rice self-sufficiency to 40% by 2030. Farm Support: The US announced an $8 billion diesel-relief package for farmers, though payments are expected after the election.

Food Supplies: Malaysia’s FAMA is building buffer stocks of 34 commodities at 15 centres ahead of monsoon flooding, while shifting produce from surplus areas to shortages. It has also bought 153 tonnes of Terengganu duku to help growers move a glut. Farmgate Prices: A 17-year-old in Mumbai has created a platform that compares mandi prices, forecasts trends for 30 days and advises farmers when to sell or hold crops. Farm Finances: UK second-hand machinery sales fell 34% in the third quarter as farmers delayed upgrades amid market and Budget uncertainty. In the US, safety-net payments for 2025 crops are projected to hit a record $13.8 billion. Crop Outlook: Brazil is forecast to harvest 184 million tonnes of soybeans in 2026–27, nearly 2% above last season, though severe weather could threaten crop development. Soil and Climate: India has launched a nationwide campaign urging balanced fertiliser use, crop rotation and soil-health practices. In England’s Broads, drought and saltwater intrusion have forced some cattle farmers to move animals into winter housing early.

Export Outlook: Peru has cut its 2026/27 blueberry export forecast 14.9% from its initial estimate to 344,000 metric tons, citing weather that has hurt orchard growth. Farm Costs: A $1.34 billion U.S. fertilizer investment aims to expand domestic production as prices run about 20% above last year; a separate $8 billion diesel relief package is expected to reach farmers after the election. Climate Resilience: Hawaiʻi is launching hands-on soil-health and water-retention workshops for farmers and ranchers, while forecasters warn El Niño could bring severe, uneven risks to Latin American agriculture. USDA Oversight: A federal judge has halted parts of the department’s reorganization, including office closures and staff relocations. Global Agriculture: Cameroon and the World Bank launched a compact to boost production, jobs and investment across key food and farming sectors. Poultry Health: USDA confirmed avian flu in commercial flocks across five states, including a nearly 935,000-hen operation in Illinois.

El Niño Damage: Drought has caused an estimated 8.57 billion pesos in agricultural losses across the Philippines, damaging 291,154 hectares and affecting more than 288,000 farmers. Rice and corn account for most losses. U.S. Farm Costs: President Trump announced an $8 billion harvest fuel relief program as diesel prices squeeze farmers; Vice President JD Vance separately unveiled $1.3 billion for domestic fertilizer manufacturing. Solar and Crops: Odisha is preparing an agrivoltaics policy targeting 1 GW of capacity by 2030, with at least 90% of project land kept in cultivation. Cameroon Investment: A new AgriConnect partnership with the World Bank, IFAD and other partners aims to expand production, jobs and financing while reducing food imports. Rice Research: New varieties showcased in Nagaland showed potential yields 35% to 45% above traditional local cultivars.

New Crop Option: With processing-plant closures hurting Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay growers, New Zealand’s Kiwi Quinoa is recruiting farmers to grow a saponin-free variety for export markets; a Canadian contract offers a potential new outlet. Climate Losses: El Niño damage in the Philippines has reached 8.57 billion pesos, affecting 288,058 farmers and more than 291,000 hectares, according to the agriculture department. Farm Costs: The U.S. administration has announced $8 billion in harvest fuel relief, but payment details remain unclear as farmers face high diesel and input costs. Resilience: SADC is urging countries to turn climate forecasts and agricultural technology into practical action, including better water management and contingency planning. Research: AWARD’s new programme will support 47 women plant breeders across 14 African countries, aiming to make crop research more responsive to farmers’ needs. Investment: AGRA says Africa’s farm output has roughly doubled since 2005, yet incomes remain low; stronger links between production, markets and processing are needed to make agriculture more bankable.

Farm Costs: The US has announced $8 billion in one-time fuel relief for farmers facing soaring diesel costs, while Saskatchewan producers report high fuel bills and a wet harvest. Climate Resilience: Cameroon launched a World Bank-backed program to boost production, jobs and food security across eight value chains. Punjab also unveiled a £300,000 pilot to help farmers in arid regions adapt to climate shocks. Solar on Farms: India plans to expand agrivoltaics under its PM-KUSUM scheme, combining crop production with solar power while aiming to protect small farmers’ ability to work their land. Farm Protests: Farmers in Tamil Nadu protested over loan waivers, disrupting roads; more than 1,000 were arrested. Moldovan farm groups threaten machinery protests by October 30 over rising costs, weak subsidies and export bottlenecks. Water Stress: El Niño-driven shortages are leaving Labasa sugarcane growers struggling to secure water for their families and workers.

Fuel Relief: USDA is offering farmers a one-time share of an $8 billion aid package to offset soaring diesel costs; payment rates are expected in November, though farm groups say aid alone will not fix mounting cost pressures. Rural Infrastructure: Wisconsin awarded $69.5 million for 39 road, bridge and culvert projects across 32 counties, improving routes used to move farm and forestry products. Grower Support: Washington state received $4.7 million for 21 specialty-crop projects covering research, market development and production challenges. Export Markets: The Philippines sent its first shipment of fresh young coconuts to Liberia, with 32,000 coconuts headed for rural feeding programs and the move opening a potential new market. Agrifood Innovation: Lactalis Canada opened a cheese-focused R&D centre in Ontario to develop products and production methods. Farm Finances: At the Women in Agribusiness Summit, analysts warned that net farm income is forecast to fall 2.6% this year as production costs, debt and interest expenses squeeze margins.

Farm Access: The Philippines says it is ready to restart farm-to-market road projects after budget and staffing delays, aiming to speed produce transport. Malaysian paddy farmers welcomed a higher harvesting incentive but urged faster payments and more help with rising costs. Fuel Costs: President Trump announced $8 billion in US farm relief tied to acreage and crop type, with payment rates due next month. Farm groups welcomed the support but said emergency aid cannot replace broader action on farm costs. Harvests and Prices: Afghanistan’s wheat harvest rose 13.4% to 5.15 million tonnes, but still falls 1.94 million tonnes short of domestic demand. Global food prices reached their highest level in nearly four years, driven by conflict, supply disruptions and extreme weather. El Niño Pressure: Water shortages in Fiji are cutting vegetable supplies and forcing some livestock farmers to sell animals; Tamil Nadu is targeting 800,000 tonnes of paddy procurement to guard against possible drought-related disruptions.

U.S. Farm Relief: The USDA plans $8 billion in one-time harvest payments to help farmers facing higher costs and market disruption. Payments will be based on modeled crop-year losses, not individual fuel bills; rates for major commodities are due in November. Harvest Outlook: Some Minnesota farmers are more optimistic as stronger crop prices and a better harvest could help pay down debt. But higher diesel costs and years of financial pressure remain. Food Production: Burkina Faso reports a record cereal harvest of more than 7 million tons, enough to meet 124% of national needs, as the government pursues food self-sufficiency. Land Rights: The Philippines distributed 1,136 land titles covering about 1,741 hectares to agrarian reform beneficiaries in Bicol, with officials also promising roads, irrigation and farm financing.

Farm Fuel Relief: The Trump administration announced an $8 billion program to offset farmers’ rising diesel costs, as high fuel prices squeeze harvest margins and affect grain-delivery choices. Drought Watch: Pangasinan expects dam water to support rice irrigation through the second crop in 2027, though remote canals may still run short. In drought-hit Bulalacao, officials are seeking diesel subsidies so farmers can pump water as crops show stress. Trade & Markets: Malaysia is weighing steps to protect local growers from a glut of imported vegetables. New Zealand’s trade deal with India takes effect, removing a 33% tariff on sheep meat and opening opportunities for other farm exports. Crop Outlook: Ireland’s 2026 grain harvest is forecast at 1.92 million tonnes, down 14% from last year amid weak yields and high costs. Farm Security: UN figures show more than 200 attacks on Palestinian farmers since Sept. 1, with one killed, over 120 injured and more than 2,500 olive trees damaged.

Pest Relief: The Philippines has distributed ₱553.89 million to 53,829 sugarcane farmers and farm workers affected by a damaging insect outbreak on Negros Island. Farm Finances: Kentucky farmers and landowners are receiving $259.4 million in U.S. safety-net and conservation payments, as producers face higher diesel costs and continued uncertainty after the farm bill expired again. Trade & Disease: Brazil confirmed Newcastle disease at a turkey farm in Santa Catarina, raising concern about poultry export disruptions. India’s free-trade agreement with New Zealand is set to take effect Oct. 20, opening duty-free access for Indian exports. Inputs & Markets: Rice farmers in Ghana’s Afadzato South welcomed government seed support but say they need fertilizer; a rice glut and weak farm-gate prices have left many struggling to recover costs. Water & Soil: Nebraska is offering grants from a roughly $195 million program to help farmers improve water management, nutrient efficiency and soil health.

Farm Business Pressures: California growers say competition, labor shortages, scarce water, record fuel costs and expensive fertilizer are pushing farms toward bankruptcy; Ventura lemon producer Limoneira says it has not made money on lemons since 2018. Sugarcane Dispute: Pakistani farm groups are demanding a support price of Rs700 per maund and mills start crushing by Nov. 1, warning of nationwide protests over delays and rising costs. Climate-Smart Support: Napa Green secured a $3 million grant, with more than $2 million earmarked to help winegrape growers adopt practices such as cover cropping, composting and no-till farming. Farm Inputs: A Dar es Salaam project is turning market waste into organic fertilizer, linking cleaner waste management with local farm production. Food Security: UN agencies project 19.2 million people in Afghanistan will face acute food insecurity this winter, while the FAO warns that shipping disruptions, costly inputs and El Niño could add to global food-price pressures. Skills and Finance: Pakistan sent 107 agricultural graduates to China for specialist training, while Saudi Reef reports $320 million in support for more than 34,000 farmers in Jazan.

Farm Business Pressures: Scottish farms averaged just £500 in agricultural profit in 2024–25, prompting NFU Scotland to seek emergency energy support and stronger safeguards for domestic food production. Land Rights: A new campaign is backing more than 250 farming families in Sariaya, Philippines, who risk losing land awarded under agrarian reform. Climate Risks: El Niño could threaten 44,772 hectares of rice and corn in the Philippines’ Cordillera region; officials are urged to prepare irrigation, crop plans and insurance. Farm Support: Haiti is distributing vegetable seeds to more than 2,000 farmers to boost local production and food security. Investment: EIB Global and Nigeria’s FCMB announced €85 million for agricultural value chains, with at least 70% targeting cocoa and dairy. Women in Agriculture: FAO says women earn 78 cents for every dollar men earn in agrifood work and calls for better access to land, finance and technology.

Smallholder Access: Tanzania has paid Sh10 billion toward buying Highland Estate, aiming to offer affordable land to small farmers and guard against profiteering. Farm Economics: Scottish farms averaged just £500 in agricultural profit in 2024–25; NFU Scotland is seeking emergency energy support as costs, labour shortages and extreme weather squeeze businesses. Water Resilience: Three solar irrigation projects in the Philippines will serve 45 farmers across 42 hectares, while Laoag is providing seeds, fertilizer and machinery to 1,519 farmers ahead of El Niño. Food Security: Malaysian experts say the 2027 agriculture budget should boost productivity, cut production costs and strengthen local supply. Livestock Health: FAO has delivered 1.5 million doses of peste des petits ruminants vaccine to Kyrgyzstan for sheep and goats. Climate Shock: In Cambodia, drought damaged nearly 290,000 hectares of rice fields, followed by floods that inundated about 150,000 hectares.

Drought Pressure: Telangana says drought-like conditions affect 315 districts, while farmers in Maharashtra protested a ₹5,000 relief payment as inadequate. Crop Losses: UK pumpkin growers report devastating summer drought damage; one farm harvested just 50 pumpkins, down from about 10,000 in a typical year. Farm Income: Karnataka sugarcane growers are continuing their protest despite a promise of talks on cane prices. Food Security: Guyana sees corn and soybean production as a potential US$40 million annual industry, helping cut import reliance. Regional Plans: OECS ministers face calls to turn food-security commitments into action, including better trade links and transport. Farm Safety: Palestinian olive farmers in the West Bank have been attacked by Israeli settlers during the harvest. Food Standards: Nigeria’s House of Representatives is urging stronger food-safety laws and enforcement to address unsafe food and chemical use.

Climate Resilience: Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector suffered an estimated $814 million in cyclone damage, renewing calls to invest in warnings, water systems and stronger food supply chains before disasters strike. Farm Finances: A UK survey found rising costs hurt 87% of farmers’ profitability, while 42% have considered leaving the industry. Crop Losses: Heavy rain and waterlogging caused ripe paddy to sprout in Nepal’s Bardiya district, wiping out some families’ harvests. Farmer Safety: Palestinian olive growers face attacks and restrictions during the harvest, with trees damaged and farmers injured across the West Bank. Risk Protection: India’s Himachal Pradesh is delivering crop-insurance documents to farmers’ doorsteps, while new Microsoft-backed research aims to improve weather forecasts two to six weeks ahead. Food Security: Nigeria’s farmers’ association says storage, processing, transport and market access must improve alongside production to curb food imports and help farmers earn more.