AGP Executive Report

Water & Climate Risk: California’s water crunch is pushing interest in offshore desalination, with OceanWell claiming deep-ocean filtration could cut environmental impacts versus onshore plants. Biosecurity: Australia confirmed its first mainland H5N1 bird flu case in a brown skua, raising alarms for wildlife protection. Ocean & Coastal Resilience: NSW researchers are exploring genetic editing to help kelp tolerate warmer waters, aiming to slow kelp forest decline. Food Security in Schools: Sri Lanka’s Plate it Forward and Dilmah are expanding Harvest² to rural schools, linking small farmers to daily school meals plus organic gardens and native planting. Sustainable Farming Support: Ghana’s NETRIGHT backed 256 women farmers with extension, agribusiness and value-add training, while students in Accra urged stronger cooperative systems and digital links for the Feed Ghana Farmer Service Centres. Policy Watch: Thailand reiterated data-centre investment must not harm water use or the agricultural sector. Farm Tech & Training: Ghana’s first batch of 11 Farmer Service Centres is set to be ready by October, offering mechanisation, inputs, extension and climate-smart solutions.

Fertiliser & climate risk: A Manitoba potato farmer’s “one million dollars” annual fertiliser budget is spotlighted as a reminder that nitrogen inputs can drive nitrous oxide emissions and soil and water damage, pushing the case for more climate-smart alternatives. Policy credibility: Bangladesh’s budget revenue targets are being questioned by economists and civil society, with agriculture and other social spending flagged as unlikely to deliver without stronger institutions and monitoring. Rural finance for farm-linked livelihoods: Malaysia earmarks RM9.8bn for microcredit via six institutions to help hawkers and small entrepreneurs—an indirect boost for local market supply chains. Food security & trade: China is expected to import about 25m metric tons of US soybeans in 2025/26, signaling continued demand for feed and food inputs. Energy for rural development: ECOWAS Parliament backs faster renewable rollouts for rural electrification using mini-grids and off-grid systems, aiming to support agriculture-linked rural economies. Farm resilience funding: Nova Scotia and Ottawa announce a $25m drought relief package for dairy, beef, sheep and wild blueberry farmers. Market-ready crops: Western Visayas trains ube and taro producers on product and market profiling to improve profitability and market readiness. Pest threat: Negros Occidental lawmakers warn a red-striped soft scale infestation has surged past 4,800 hectares, calling for urgent coordinated action.

Skills for net-zero farming: A UK policy push for sustainable agriculture is at risk without upskilling rural workers, with experts warning that farmers need the training to use new tech and protect productivity. Pest and disease pressure: In the Philippines, a red-striped soft scale outbreak in Negros Occidental has surged to thousands of hectares, prompting calls for a province-wide emergency response and coordinated control. Farmer income and market access: Western Visayas root-crop producers (ube and taro) trained on product and market profiling, cost/return analysis, and production scheduling to better match demand. Natural farming momentum: India’s Andhra Pradesh is scaling natural farming messaging alongside PM-KISAN support, while workshops in Madhya Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh push organic methods to cut chemical dependence and rebuild soil health. Fair wages in tea: Bangladesh marked National Tea Day with demands for fair pay, housing, healthcare, and education for tea garden workers. Rural finance for resilience: IFAD reported strong demand for its sustainable bond programme, channeling funds into rural transformation, market access, and natural resource restoration. Input-chain security: Morocco’s OCP met Japan’s agriculture minister to deepen fertilizer partnerships focused on sustainable nutrient management and resilient supply chains.

Sustainable Cocoa Supply: Lindt & Sprüngli says its entire cocoa sourcing is now covered by 100% Rainforest Alliance certification, with agroforestry, forest restoration, community projects and a Living Income pilot aimed at closing the farmer income gap. Value-Added Processing: India’s Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated Meghalaya’s ₹32-crore organic spice processing unit (PRIME-HUB) in Ri-Bhoi, positioning the region for higher-value, traceable exports and new farmer opportunities. Farmer Support & Skills: Zimbabwe’s Zimplats-Gwebi programme graduated 60 farmers, training them in crop/livestock production, agribusiness and sustainable practices. Water & Climate Resilience: A UNFCCC SB64 side event in Bonn focused on cross-sector partnerships for water security and climate resilience, pushing “water transversality” across policy. Livestock Finance: Tanzania’s NMB reported over Sh180 billion in livestock lending to farmers and businesses, backing feed, breeds, fattening and market development. Agri-Waste to Fuel: India approved INR 150 crore for a hybrid 2G ethanol project in Uttar Pradesh to turn sugarcane bagasse and residues into clean fuel, targeting residue burning reduction. Infrastructure for Food Systems: Uganda’s AfDB approved Shs650+ billion to upgrade Arua Airport, aiming to improve regional connectivity for trade and agriculture.

Agroecology & Soil Health: OSU researchers report that a one-time biochar application in dryland wheat–pea rotations near Pendleton delivered lasting soil benefits after more than a decade, boosting soil pH and organic carbon. Water & Irrigation: Bangladesh ministers inspected the Teesta Barrage to push coordinated, sustainable river management for irrigation, flood control, and erosion prevention. Livestock & Natural Farming: Uttar Pradesh is rolling out a “Poison-Free Food” farm-to-consumer model using gaushalas for chemical-free produce and Panchgavya products, while also planning district-specific cow-based enterprises under “One District-One Innovation.” Organic Value Chains: Meghalaya inaugurated Northeast India’s largest organic spice processing facility, aiming to cut losses and improve market access for thousands of organic farmers. Farm Tech & Energy: A Comox Valley hydroponic greenhouse, Forest Valley Acres, is supplying year-round lettuce using a closed-loop system with major water savings. Policy & Infrastructure: Hawai‘i’s state agribusiness board finalized terms to bring the Wahiawā irrigation system under public stewardship, targeting food security and upgrades. Rangelands: Saskatchewan marked Native Prairie Appreciation Week, highlighting native grasslands for wildlife habitat, forage, and carbon storage.

Climate-smart cocoa livelihoods: New research from Ghana’s cocoa belt argues the biggest climate threat may be the farmer’s health and adaptive capacity—not just the cocoa tree—highlighting rising heat, erratic rains, longer droughts, and higher costs. Flood risk to food systems: In Ghana’s Volta Region, floodwaters are submerging low-lying farmland in Anloga, threatening seedlings, fertiliser investments, and near-term harvests. Fertiliser access push: Nigeria’s agriculture ministry signed an MoU with IFDC to improve affordability, soil testing, balanced nutrient management, and timely fertiliser supply for smallholders. Aquaculture restart: Philippines’ BFAR Region 1 delivered 320,000 bangus fingerlings to revive idle fish cages in Pangasinan, with operators covering feeds and labour. Sustainable cocoa pricing: Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire move to harmonise cocoa farm-gate prices to protect farmer incomes. Dairy stability: Ireland’s Carbery kept its May milk price unchanged, including sustainability and SCC bonuses, amid challenging global dairy markets. Water infrastructure for farming: Zambia–US MCC funding was amended to realign investments supporting agriculture and critical minerals via the Lobito Corridor.

Flood Risk to Farms: Rising floodwaters in Ghana’s Anloga District are submerging low-lying fields, wiping out seedlings and fertiliser and threatening household survival as structural fixes lag. AI for Aquaculture: On Lake Victoria, an AI underwater oxygen monitor triggered SMS alerts that helped fish farmers move tilapia cages in time, preventing mass kills. Soil Health Focus: A new spotlight on soil acidity in Bangladesh warns that millions of hectares face declining productivity unless acidity management becomes a priority. Dairy Economics: Ireland’s Tirlán set a milk price floor for summer and a sustainability action payment, aiming to stabilize farmer income amid strong global supply. Agroecology & Food Justice: Coverage argues agroecology must reshape the whole food system—production through consumption—to cut vulnerability from droughts, floods, and input-heavy farming. Controlled-Environment Farming: Empire State Greenhouses and Global Green plan carbon-negative crop factories using a circular food-energy-waste model. Market & Input Costs: Andhra Pradesh aquaculture feed prices were cut by Rs 4/kg after CM intervention, with a committee tasked to set longer-term pricing. Farm Tech & Skills: Zambia’s TVET delegation visits Ghana to build green jobs and skills pathways, including for women and youth.

Climate-Resilient Farming Tech: India’s ICAR-IIOR unveiled Smart Seed Coating Technology using biodegradable biopolymers to boost germination, root growth, and tolerance to drought and pests, with field trials reporting major yield gains. Sustainable Inputs & Farmer Support: Philippines’ DAR distributed tractors, rice transplanters, and water pumps worth P7.4M plus buffaloes to agrarian reform groups in Ilocos Norte to lift productivity and livelihoods. Biodiversity on Farms: Ireland’s Carbery mapped nature-rich habitats across 980 dairy supplier farms, finding 19% of land as biodiversity-supporting habitat and thousands of hectares of “space for nature” to guide future farm actions. Blue Economy & Fisheries Governance: Mozambique’s IUCN-led discussions pushed regenerative blue economy partnerships and backed regional monitoring efforts to curb illegal fishing. Aquaculture Regulation Shock: China’s revised fisheries law could tighten antibiotic use and environmental rules, likely forcing consolidation and raising pressure on small fish farmers. Air Quality for Daily Life: India’s AIRCUE launches as a wall clock with an integrated AQI monitor, bringing pollution awareness into homes and schools.

Soil health & fertilizer support: India’s Khet Bachao Abhiyan is pushing soil conservation, balanced fertiliser use, and natural/green manure demos via KVK outreach, while Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme is distributing urea and NPK to nearly 129,000 smallholders to cut costs and boost yields. Co-ops & market access: In India’s Namsai, officials urged stronger cooperatives and producer institutions to scale geographical indication products with better branding and post-GI support. Livestock waste management: A Nuffield study on layer manure options is weighing composting versus drying and pelletising to find workable outlets beyond local farms. Water & clean infrastructure: De Nora was selected to retrofit PUB’s Johor River Waterworks UV disinfection systems, aiming to extend reliable drinking-water performance. Policy & institutions: Northern Ireland’s AFBI review won’t trigger wholesale restructuring, but will move ahead on recommendations as the institute’s wide remit is questioned. Land degradation focus: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought saw renewed commitments to restore degraded land and strengthen sustainable land management. Energy for farms: Community solar milestones in Illinois highlight turning former coal land into clean power for local users.

Cocoa Price Harmonisation: Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire agreed to align cocoa farm-gate pricing to cut cross-border distortions and lift farmer incomes. Fertiliser Innovation: The fertiliser industry is ramping up innovation, but a new benchmarking report flags big gaps between top and lagging players and calls for tighter collaboration. Biochar Momentum: A market outlook projects biochar growth to $587.7M by 2030, driven by soil and animal-feed uses. Agri-Food Talent: The World Food Prize Foundation named 40 “Top Agri-food Pioneers” across 30 countries for practical food-security solutions. Rural Water Access: India’s Ecomak is building a community water reservoir in Pune to reduce long-distance water collection and support farm needs. Mosquito Control for Health: A French startup is scaling sterile-male mosquito releases to curb invasive tiger mosquitoes and disease spread. Farm Tech Funding: Japan’s Terrafarm raised seed funding to push photosynthesis research and AI-enabled agricultural robotics. Livestock Health: FAO vaccinated 106,000+ animals in South Sudan to protect herds and strengthen food security. Catching Up on Policy: Laos is drafting a national agenda to coordinate rural development and poverty alleviation. Jobs and Food Systems: Kenya launched the Agriconnect Compact targeting 2.4M jobs through tech-enabled, climate-smart agriculture.

Great Lakes Science Funding: New York’s DEC will give the University at Buffalo $5 million to host the Great Lakes Research Consortium, aiming to improve ecosystem understanding and guide management decisions. Solar Irrigation for Food Security: A Bangladesh-focused piece argues that solar-powered irrigation can cut farmers’ dependence on diesel and unstable electricity while protecting staple production. Fertiliser Supply Shock Watch: With Iran ceasefire hopes, farmers are watching Strait of Hormuz shipping for cheaper, steadier fertiliser deliveries during key planting periods. Regenerative Energy from Farms: Circularity Fuels says it has converted dairy biogas into drop-in sustainable aviation fuel in a California pilot, with commercial plans for 2027. Cold-Chain Breakthroughs: Kenya’s farmers are using solar-powered cold storage and pay-per-use refrigeration to slash spoilage and reach higher-value markets. Agroecology Implementation Gap: Uganda’s National Agroecology Strategy faces shortfalls in extension support, organic inputs, and market development, slowing adoption by smallholders. Indigenous Livestock Conservation: A Nagaland workshop highlighted scientific efforts to conserve indigenous cow breeds for resilience and rural livelihoods. Community Food Access: Summerville YMCA launches a “Free & Fresh” fridge program to distribute free produce without registration. Agri-Climate Finance: Nigeria’s minister calls for guarantee tools and risk-sharing to unlock green investment for sectors including agriculture and renewables. Land Destruction Impacts: An OIC-linked report warns that damage to Palestinian farmland is undermining production and rural livelihoods.

Climate Risk for Farms: NOAA says El Niño has officially begun and could be the strongest this century, raising odds of droughts and heavy rain that can disrupt crops and food supplies. Energy Access for Food Systems: ECOWAS Parliament is pushing a renewable energy push across West Africa, arguing electricity access is key to cutting rural poverty and boosting agricultural productivity. Soil and Crop Resilience: A UK project called “The Mill-it Project” will test proso millet as a climate-resilient spring crop for human food, using field trials and recipe development. Water and Land Management: Ghana’s flood experts are calling for a shift away from dredging-only fixes toward stronger planning enforcement, wetland protection, and landscape restoration. Farm Tech and Efficiency: New research infrastructure in Croatia launches a “Smart Shellfish Farm” to test sensors and underwater tech for monitoring and improving mussel growth and sea quality. Policy and Inputs: Nigeria’s manufacturers are urging suspension of a proposed ban on single-use plastics under 80 microns, warning of economic and job impacts. Farmer Livelihoods: Uganda’s World Environment Day tree-planting in Adjumani highlights climate-smart institutional woodlots, with targets exceeded through a World Bank-funded program.

EU–Ukraine Accession: The EU opened the first “fundamentals” negotiation cluster with Ukraine and Moldova, covering rule of law, justice, public procurement, statistics, and financial control—an important step for long-term stability and reform. Water & Farm Resilience: Armenia is set to receive a EUR100m French Development Agency loan to repair water and irrigation systems and support sustainable agriculture, while FAO ran a Libya workshop pushing modern irrigation to curb groundwater depletion. Food Security Support: Basilan’s provincial government distributed vegetable seeds, fertilizers, and organic soil enhancers to 100 farmers under its Magtanah Program. Urban Agriculture Funding: Maryland launched a new grant program for urban farms and community gardens, backing storage, composting, pollinator habitat, and education. Biodiversity Watch: A study links rising açaí expansion in Brazil’s Amazon to a 28% drop in bird diversity. Farm Community Spotlight: Nominations opened for CARICOM’s Farmer of the Year awards, aiming to boost investment in regional food security.

Renewables for farms: Circularity Fuels says it has completed the world’s first end-to-end conversion of raw dairy biogas into sustainable aviation fuel, using a six-month pilot from a California manure digester and aiming to turn a waste stream into a new revenue source for dairy producers. Climate risk planning: Philippines agencies warn El Niño could develop and persist into early 2027, prompting stepped-up preparedness in Eastern Samar as drought risk rises even while cyclones remain possible. Ag-tech for labor savings: AI weeding and pest-control robots are being tested in California’s Salinas Valley, targeting lower chemical use and more efficient field management. Farmer income via better markets: A $5 million grant in New York will build a regional food processing and workforce hub to expand school purchasing of local farm products. Policy pressure on food systems: A Senate resolution in the Philippines flags that earthquake recovery funding shortfalls could disrupt agriculture and fisheries, affecting food prices nationwide. Livestock tracking: 701X is rolling out GPS-enabled cattle tags to alert ranchers to health and reproductive signals. Water and land resilience: Tanzania’s Kilombero Valley is highlighted as a “food basket” and critical water catchment tied to hydropower and wildlife corridors. Regenerative spotlight: Sustainability in Drinks names regenerative farmer Andy Cato as keynote speaker for its 2026 event.

Regenerative Farming Breakthrough (US): A Virginia young farmer’s Ashton Creek Vineyard and Riverside Vines became the first Virginia vineyard operations to earn Certified Regenified status, tying soil health and biodiversity to animal stewardship under a USDA-backed regenerative pilot. Local Food Processing Push (US): The USDA launched a Small Processors Action Plan to expand capacity for small meat plants, aiming to cut backlogs and help Virginia producers get beef processed closer to home. Farm Finance for Smallholders (Bangladesh): NRBC Bank disbursed Tk 350m in agricultural loans to 500 farmers and entrepreneurs, paired with nutritious food support. Rural Jobs for Lean Seasons (India): Odisha approved a new rural employment scheme guaranteeing 125 days of wage work and targeting sowing/harvesting periods to stabilize farm incomes. Water Stress and Wildlife (Pakistan): Conservationists warned that Indus Waters Treaty violations and reduced river flows could threaten markhor survival. Irrigation-Led Crop Revival (Angola): Angola’s Huíla province launched an agricultural dam to revive the “corn triangle,” with irrigation planned for 2,500 hectares first and more expansion ahead. Agri-Research Funding (Nigeria): Nigeria’s TETFund approved N7.5bn for 174 university research projects, including agriculture-focused work. Human-Wildlife Conflict (Malaysia): Malaysia reported 76,361 wildlife conflict complaints since 2021, with habitat loss from agriculture and development driving crop and safety impacts. Climate Adaptation Funding Gap (Bangladesh): Speakers said Bangladesh’s proposed climate budget is too low for long-term coastal adaptation, urging higher spending and dedicated coastal water management. Sustainable Ag Skills Pipeline (Ghana): A Ghana training program for youth in greenhouse, poultry, micro-livestock, and seedling production culminated in a business pitching session for agripreneurs. Solar and Self-Reliance (Farm Tech): A new push for solar-powered electric farm equipment highlights lower maintenance and reduced diesel dependence for off-grid resilience.

Energy & Climate Risk: Malaysia’s MetMalaysia is tracking El Niño, warning of hotter, drier conditions that could cut rainfall and raise water, fire and haze risks. Agri-Tech & Water Security: A Woods Hole team is using an unmanned surface robot to find “super reef” refuges as global warming drives mass coral bleaching. Farm Livelihoods: Hawaii’s Haleiwa farm was blessed as a new 80-acre site to help refugees, immigrants and trafficking survivors build sustainable businesses. Community Food Systems: In Zimbabwe, Sibambene VBU is selling green mealies from a community garden, projecting modest but meaningful income despite weather stress. Agri-Policy & Trade: BRICS agriculture ministers adopted the Indore Declaration, backing farmer-centric cooperation and seed rights and digital agriculture. Sustainable Inputs & Biofuels: India moved closer to cleaner transport with finalized rules for 100% ethanol vehicles, while bio-energy is framed as a pillar of green growth. Biodiversity & Forests: An African Forest Forum roadmap targets better biodiversity management, linking forests and livelihoods to the green transition. Rural Development & Power Access: Jordan’s Rural Fils Fund approved electricity connections for 199 homes and sites, including solar options and support for low-income households. Pest Watch: Qatar urged palm-tree inspections for red palm weevil and advised stopping pesticides as dates ripen.