AGP Executive Report

Value-Added Protein From Farm Waste: A new study from the University of Georgia finds proteins extracted from pre-dried marigold flowers can be heat-stable and functional, turning India’s discarded marigolds (about 40% wasted) into a potential sustainable food ingredient. Regenerative Livelihoods at the Coast: East African coastal women are shifting from fishing alone to mangrove restoration, beekeeping, ecotourism, and reef protection—building income while helping ecosystems recover. Tree Planting With Farmer Incentives: Uttar Pradesh’s “Maha Vriksharopan 2026” aims to plant 35 crore saplings and includes carbon-credit certificates for local farmers. Water Security for Farmers: A UK rural roundtable at major agricultural shows puts water management front and center, arguing water for food production must be treated as an essential use. Honey Instead of Charcoal: In Angola’s Cuima, a beekeeping cooperative helped 98 families cut tree felling and burning by replacing charcoal with honey, jams, and briquettes. Agribusiness Growth Support: Ghana’s KIC and Rabo Foundation launched a Business Booster Programme to back 100 agri-SMEs across value chains like cocoa, horticulture, and seeds.

Food Safety & Chemicals: A systematic review in Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology found pesticide residues in infant formula across 22 of 26 studies, with multiple chemical classes showing up together—raising fresh concerns for infant exposure. School Nutrition via Water Tech: Kenya’s West Pokot schools commissioned a solar-powered micro-irrigation setup with drip greenhouses and kitchen-garden plans, aiming to cut food costs and boost year-round fresh produce. Circular Food Systems: South Africa’s Shoprite expanded community food gardens to 300 sites, turning household food waste into compost and nearby vegetables to improve access to nutritious food. Agri-Innovation in India: A 2,000 sq m natural farming model launched at a Guntur school to teach students practical sustainable agriculture, healthy food systems, biodiversity, and seed saving. Green Livelihoods in Cambodia: Under Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, India and Cambodia signed MoUs for climate-smart apiculture training for smallholders and a schooling support project for rural students. Plastic Policy: Namibia reported nearly N$250m raised over five years from a lightweight plastics levy, funding waste management and green initiatives. Agri Finance for SMEs: Uganda’s Pearl Bank and Ronalds in Africa ran a bootcamp to help agri-SMEs access funding and scale operations.

Sustainable Protein From Waste: A new University of Georgia study finds proteins extracted from discarded marigold flowers could be a heat-stable, functional food ingredient—potentially turning India’s annual marigold waste into a land-sparing protein source. Low-Carbon Fuel Feedstocks: Bunge will supply 1.5 million metric tons of soy oil to Acelen’s Brazil biorefinery for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel, with production starting in 2029. Rangeland Health for Food Security: FAO’s Qu Dongyu highlighted how grazing lands and pastoralists support ecosystems and global food security, urging better stewardship. Aquaculture Restoration: Sarawak released 50,000 giant freshwater prawn juveniles into the Batang Kemena to revive fisheries and protect livelihoods. Farm Value-Chain Boost: Nigeria’s Plateau State commissioned a potato value chain tissue culture lab plus equipment and training to expand seed production and processing. EU Soy Policy: The European Parliament blocked a delegated rule that would have labeled soybean oil high ILUC-risk, backing the EU soy value chain and protein goals. Water & Wildfire Resilience: Jefferson County, Colorado received a $9.6M USDA Forest Service grant for wildfire mitigation, defensible space, and safer homes.

Water Security Under Strain: Almada’s water crisis is worsening, with experts pointing to over-reliance on groundwater, ageing infrastructure, and weak monitoring—not just a burst main—raising fears the shortage could persist for weeks. Pesticide Policy Watch: Scientists warn the EU’s proposed pesticide approval “simplification” could reduce reassessment and weaken safeguards for biodiversity and human health. Agri-Tech & Energy for Farms: Italy is moving ahead with a €93M advanced agrivoltaic project, pairing solar power with agricultural land use. Sustainable Food Systems: A new study suggests protein can be recovered from discarded marigold flowers, offering a potential low-land, waste-to-nutrition ingredient. Nature & Nutrition Link: The Philippines’ Nutrition Month theme ties healthy diets to protecting ecosystems, warning that pollution and climate impacts can shrink harvests and fresh food supply. Marine Conservation: SAERI secured funding for new Falklands and South Atlantic monitoring, including a drone-and-AI census of southern rockhopper penguins.

Nuclear & Waste Safety: South Africa’s NRWDI says it hit 100% of its 2026/27 performance targets and secured full operating control of the Vaalputs disposal facility, pushing ahead on skills, localisation, and long-term radioactive waste management. Food Security Policy: Japan amended its Food System Act with “cost indicators” for staples like rice, vegetables, tofu, natto, and milk to curb below-cost deals and help farmers recover costs. Farm Inputs & Seed Quality: Kentucky State University research suggests late-season nitrogen plus biochar could raise soybean protein without hurting key seed quality measures. Sustainable Protein From Waste: A new study shows proteins extracted from pre-dried marigold flowers could turn discarded blooms into a stable, functional food ingredient. Water & Climate Risk: A study finds rainfall in the Indus eastern river catchments fell 20% since 1951, raising stakes for water planning and treaty debates. Renewable Gas Growth: U.S. landfill gas projects now drive 64% of renewable natural gas output, with hundreds more facilities seen as suitable for development. Urban Food Access: New Britain ROOTS named Ashley Stewart executive director, focusing on food access, urban agriculture, and education. Shellfish Waste to Health: Whole oyster extract research points to calming gut inflammation and protecting the intestinal barrier—potentially repurposing farmed shellfish waste. Beef Market Support (Canada): Canada Beef and the Canadian Cattle Association received $4M total to keep expanding advocacy and trade demand. Smart Farming in Asia-Pacific: FAO’s first Global Conference on Smart Farming highlighted scaling context-fit tools for smallholders, from nutrient management to sensor irrigation.

Lab-to-farm innovation: Malaysia’s PKPS is scaling an Agriculture Centre of Excellence that turns research into practical tools for farmers, aiming to keep the sector competitive as climate pressures rise. Food waste to protein: A new study shows proteins extracted from discarded marigold flowers could become a heat-stable, functional ingredient—an option to meet protein demand without more land. Aquaculture reliability: Researchers highlight why dependable fish spawning in hatcheries is the bottleneck for expanding farmed seafood, and why new spawning aids still face tough approval steps. Water security for farming: Kazakhstan is investing heavily in water-sector upgrades, including reservoir reconstruction and expanded irrigation water-saving tech, to support agriculture and public well-being. Diversifying farm income: Kenya’s treasury urges farmers to move beyond maize toward high-value crops like avocado and macadamia, backed by dam rehabilitation and cleaner energy access. Policy and trade for resilience: The EU is drafting exemptions from green budget rules for some agriculture-adjacent transport and decarbonisation-linked projects, while UK farm and food groups push a five-point plan for a more resilient, affordable food system. Sustainable seafood economics: India’s high-seas fisheries launch in Odisha will roll out a Letter of Authorisation for sustainable harvesting.

Agri-Tech & Waste-to-Value: Researchers report proteins extracted from discarded marigold flowers could become a heat-stable, functional food ingredient, turning crop waste into a potential protein source without expanding farmland. Climate Litigation Watch: New Zealand moves to limit who can sue over climate impacts, a move that could foreshadow similar U.S. state battles. Sugarcane Economics in the Pacific: Fiji’s sugarcane growers are urging faster harvesting after a promised $85/ton minimum price, while others demand Fiji Sugar Corporation leadership changes and higher prices to cover rising costs. Trade & Climate Policy: The European Parliament gives final backing to updated EU-Mexico agreements, aiming to cut tariff barriers amid geopolitical pressure. Reef Sustainability Debate: Queensland’s licensed coral fishery takes up to 190 tons/year from the Great Barrier Reef, raising fresh questions about legality and sustainability. Farm Energy Resilience: Uganda dairy farmers in Nakaseke are using solar-powered irrigation to keep milk production steady during dry seasons. Low-Carbon Fuel From Farms: France’s VIVESCIA, Roquette and Siplec E.Leclerc back a farm-to-ethanol chain using regenerative wheat to cut transport emissions. Food System Governance: Sri Lanka’s biodigester pilot highlights farm-gate solutions for energy, fertilizer and nutrient security.

USDA staffing cuts: A new analysis says Iowa lost about 19% of NRCS staff and 8% of Farm Service Agency staff in 2025–2026, leaving county offices understaffed and slowing help farmers rely on for programs and paperwork. School nutrition: The Philippines expanded its School-Based Feeding Program as child stunting rose to 25.3%—meals now cover more grades to protect early growth and learning. Ag tech push: Bangladesh’s PM says agriculture will shift from labor-heavy work to a technology-driven, profitable sector using drones, AI, remote sensing, and other digital tools. Farmer support via training: India launched PRAGATI to train 20,000 rural youths as agri-entrepreneurs who advise farmers on soil testing, modern methods, loans, and market links. Water & land pressure: Oman distributed 274,000 fruit and wild tree seedlings to boost food security and green cover in arid conditions, while Fiji’s leaders urged wider adoption of sustainable land management to restore degraded land. Food system access: California schools can now offer plant-based milk options for kids who can’t tolerate lactose, expanding choices on lunch lines.

USDA Grants Fight: A federal judge ordered USDA to restore $127M in land-access grants to 24 farm organizations, saying the cancellations likely broke the law—good news for young and underserved producers trying to get land. Sustainable Livestock Policy: The EU adopted a new livestock strategy and protein action plan, with priorities ranging from crisis-ready risk tools to boosting competitiveness and shifting toward cage-free systems. Regenerative Grazing: AFT’s Beef Grazing Network is relaunching a $42M resilience initiative (USDA-backed) to help 700 producers adopt adaptive grazing, improve soil health, and pursue premium markets. Irrigation Innovation: Saskatchewan’s Outlook Irrigation Field Day (July 9) will spotlight irrigation research and technology transfer aimed at both productivity and environmental sustainability. Africa Agri-Finance Push: Kenya unveiled a KSh 1.081T (US$8.4B) 5-year agri-food investment plan to expand irrigation, modernize value chains, and create jobs. Water Access for Farms: South Africa launched a programme delivering boreholes with automated purification to previously unserved communities in Mpumalanga—supporting rural water reliability.

Solar irrigation scaling: Jupiter International secured a Maharashtra MSEDCL letter of empanelment for 5,000 solar-powered agricultural pumps under the state’s solar irrigation push, reinforcing India’s farm solarisation drive. Circular inputs for farms and industry: Project Clean and Dispersa will launch Canada-made sustainable cleaning products using food-waste-derived biosurfactants, signaling broader circular innovation beyond agriculture. CAP and farmer prosperity: Ireland’s Teagasc-led CAP reform event in Athlone drew 100+ stakeholders, focusing on balancing sustainability, food security, and fair support for small and young farms. Farm tech for resilience: Fresno State and UC San Diego’s supercomputing partners launched the F3i Supercomputing Center to speed up AI-driven innovation across California’s food and agriculture supply chain. Food security cooperation: India will supply Indonesia with 100 tonnes of high-quality DWR 162 wheat seeds and share sustainable farming and agrotechnology know-how. Consumer-facing sustainability: New research warns that “resilient” and “regenerative” farming terms won’t move shoppers unless translated into clear, personal benefits at purchase.

Value Addition Push: Nigeria’s resource-based industrialisation drive got a boost from a “Bullion Lecture 2026” arguing the country must move up the value ladder from raw exports to branded, innovative finished goods. Land Access for Farmers: Pakistan’s Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz launched the Apna Khet, Apna Rozgar scheme, digitally balloting 30,000 landless families onto state land on a Rs100 annual lease for 20 years, with Rs50,000 per acre for land preparation and extension support. Solar Irrigation Scale-Up: GK Energy won a ₹235.92 crore order to deploy 10,000 solar-powered water pumps in Maharashtra under the Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana, aiming to cut reliance on conventional power for irrigation. Fertiliser Security: Morocco and Pakistan’s phosphate partnership was highlighted as strategic for fertilizer supply and food security, with a visit to the Pakistan Maroc Phosphore plant. Coastal Livelihoods: In the Philippines, La Union trained fisherfolk to turn locally grown Gracilaria seaweed into “puto,” adding income through value-added processing and good manufacturing practices. Water Resilience Planning: Namibia was selected to host the 2028 World Basin Summit, spotlighting water governance and climate adaptation.

Food Security & Tech: Malaysia’s Food Security Index rose to 61.5 in 2024 (from 54.5 in 2023), with accessibility strongest but domestic availability still lagging; officials point to expanding modern farm tech like IoT and drones. Agri-Finance: A Malaysia-focused report argues digital financial management can help paddy farmers manage cash-flow gaps and strengthen sustainable rice production. Agri-Renewables: India’s 4.5 MW agrivoltaics pilot in Madhya Pradesh pairs solar generation with commercial strawberry cultivation, with plans to expand by 1 MW. Water Governance: Pakistan’s WAPDA chief warns India’s Indus Waters Treaty suspension could destabilize long-term water security for Pakistan’s irrigation system and food production. Rural Livelihoods: Ghana’s Chief of Staff says a major palm processing factory is planned for Akyem Abuakwa to drive jobs and agro-industrial value addition. Biodiversity on Roads: Odisha (India) launches a bee corridor along NH-16, planting nectar-rich trees to support pollinators and farm productivity. Farm Skills: Jordan’s ARDI project enters its third phase, training 1,600 trainees in modern agricultural technologies to boost employment and productivity. Cocoa Resilience: Cargill highlights efforts to secure cocoa’s future by supporting farmers, improving incomes, and investing in traceability and logistics.

Sustainable Energy for Farms: AGL is delivering a 9.2MWp solar microgrid with 10.2MWh storage for Koompartu Farms in South Australia, cutting diesel use by 88% to keep irrigation running reliably. Renewables Build-Out in Asia: HayWind says all 10 turbines for its 50MW Mannar wind farm have arrived in Sri Lanka, moving the project into intensive installation to add 50MW to the grid. Food Security vs. Solar Expansion: A sharp critique warns that fast-tracked solar projects can swallow productive farmland and forests, arguing “renewable” isn’t automatically “sustainable.” Farm Analytics for Health: dsm-firmenich fully acquired the Verax predictive farm analytics platform to strengthen early disease detection and precision nutrition for animal producers. Circular Food Systems: Baguio City (Philippines) is planting Arabica seedlings and using hotel/restaurant kitchen waste to make compost that returns to farmers, linking coffee, vegetables, and waste reduction. Agri Livelihoods: Tavuya Village (Papua New Guinea) launched a five-year crab farming plan to build jobs and steady income. Market Access for Farmers: Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim pledged to raise durian price drops with China’s premier to expand market access and stabilize grower incomes. Water & Climate Resilience: Pakistan earmarked Rs1.6bn for weather forecasting and early warning upgrades, including rainfall enhancement and hydromet modernization.

Food Security & Procurement: Indonesia’s Bulog is ramping up rice procurement in South Papua, backing the Simultaneous Rice Planting Movement and expanding rice fields, milling, dryers, storage, and mechanization to stabilize supplies and secure fair prices for farmers. Circular Economy in Coffee: In Baguio, a pilot program will plant 1,000 Arabica seedlings and link hotel-linked cooperatives to kitchen-waste composting, with farmers also building coffee processing and upcycling capacity. Agri-Climate Governance: The mayor of Silago, Southern Leyte, showcased its “ridge-to-reef” approach at a Hamburg sustainability conference, pairing forest and marine protection with local food security for 17,000+ residents. Rural Livelihoods via Integration: Malaysia is supporting oil palm smallholders with an integrated duck-and-oil-palm model, where a grant helped one farmer scale to 360 ducks and generate about RM126,000 in gross income. Rural Power for Farming: Nigeria launched the Africa Minigrids Programme to deliver solar mini-grids tied to productive agricultural clusters, aiming to boost rural commerce and farm output. Policy for Lower-Emissions Farming: The UK’s Farming Roadmap 2050 signals support for diversifying into lower-emitting crops like oilseeds and pulses, including lentils, as part of climate and food-security planning.

Forest & Land Use: Palawan’s council reports 57,715 hectares of forest loss (2001–2023), with kaingin slash-and-burn blamed for 77.4%—a framing environmental groups dispute, warning against scapegoating upland farmers and Indigenous communities. Ag Finance for Small Producers: Malaysia’s Agrobank says it received RM8m in financing applications from Api-Api Night Market traders, and also reached farmers’ market vendors in Borneo to support working capital and expansion. Contract Farming: A farm consultant argues contract farming agreements need a longer-term, more transparent reset as low prices and policy changes leave many deals stuck on annual renewals. Agroforestry Push: Angola’s agriculture minister backs silviculture via small eucalyptus plantations for households, aiming to diversify farm income and expand planted forests through private nurseries. Solar Irrigation: India’s Oswal Pumps secured an additional order for 10,000 off-grid solar water pumps in Maharashtra under PM-KUSUM, supporting renewable irrigation. Fair Farm Prices: Bangladesh’s agriculture minister says “farmers’ cards” and a combined marketing structure are meant to protect producers with fair pricing. Climate-Smart Skills: Arunachal Pradesh wrapped a NABARD-funded Agriculture 4.0 training for youth and women, focused on next-gen farm technologies. Food Security Storage: Oman joined GCC talks on creating strategic storage zones for food and essentials to strengthen regional supply resilience.

Climate-Smart Seeds & Rice Imports: Philippines’ DA/PhilRice plans higher-quality, higher-yield rice seed distribution to protect farmers’ incomes as El Niño looms, while a temporary halt to rice imports aims to stabilize prices. Mining vs. Community Rights: South Africa’s KZN MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi says he’ll step in on disputes between mining firms and traditional leaders in Amajuba, pushing for real consultation, environmental safeguards, and shared benefits. Biogas for Fertiliser Self-Reliance: IIT Delhi hosted a national workshop backing India’s Swadeshi Energy and Fertiliser push, spotlighting biogas as a route to cleaner energy and more organic fertiliser. Rapid Composting Rollout: Goa will expand “Nisargaruna Rapid Composting” across municipal councils and village panchayats, aiming to turn wet waste into compost in 24–48 hours. El Niño Animal Health: Indonesia strengthens veterinary services, vaccination, biosecurity, and vector control to protect livestock productivity as El Niño approaches. Regenerative Sugarcane Pact: UPL SAS and Indian Potash will back regenerative sugarcane across ~2,000 acres in Gujarat, targeting 15% yield gains with digital farmer support. Forest Loss Debate: Palawan (Philippines) reports kaingin drives most forest loss in ECAN zones, but a local group warns against oversimplifying the governance and ecological drivers.