AGP Executive Report

Food Security Policy: Malaysia is pushing a National Food Security Act for early warnings, automatic preparedness, and faster delivery of aid and inputs as El Niño and climate change raise drought risks. BRICS Agriculture Diplomacy: A five-day BRICS agriculture conference in Indore is focusing on food security, climate-resilient farming, trade, and farmer welfare, with agriculture ministers meeting June 12-13. Farm Workforce Upskilling: California will invest $5 million to help farmworkers build in-demand skills via the Farmworkers Advancement Program, including English, math, and digital literacy. Seed Systems Upgrade: Tanzania launched a seed sector development strategy and investment plan to improve seed availability, quality assurance, and private-sector participation through 2030. Market Signals: Zimbabwe’s grain market stayed firm in the week to June 6, with white maize slightly down while soya beans rose on tight supply and steady demand. Livestock Health Watch: The return of screwworm in U.S. cattle is keeping beef prices elevated and could raise costs if cases expand. Trade & Safety: Canada gained new fish/seafood export access in five countries, supporting diversification for coastal and rural jobs.

New World Screwworm Alert: USDA confirmed more New World screwworm cases in the U.S., including a calf in La Salle County and a dog in Andrews County, Texas—pushing the outbreak beyond the original Texas cluster and prompting tighter animal movement and heightened surveillance. Livestock Response: Federal and Texas leaders in Kerrville highlighted sterile insect technology and urged ranchers and pet owners to report suspicious wounds as USDA expands detection and eradication efforts. Texas Rice Research Funding: Rep. Troy Nehls announced $1.5 million for Texas A&M AgriLife Research to study rice delphacid and the hoja blanca virus and develop producer management tools. Invasive Vineyard Pest: California’s CDFA urged shoppers to report grapevines bought at Costco in Northern California after possible exposure to the glassy-winged sharpshooter, a Pierce’s disease risk. Food Prices Watch: FAO reported global food prices mostly flat in May, with cereal and sugar up while vegetable oils fell. Aquaculture Research: NOAA launched a new institute to grow aquaculture research and markets. Water Stress Policy: A U.S. bill, the “WATER for Farmers Act,” targets Mexico water delivery shortfalls affecting South Texas agriculture.

Biosecurity & Livestock Trade: Canada moved to restrict U.S. livestock imports after a second New World screwworm case was confirmed in Texas, with a temporary halt for animals from or present in Texas ahead of entry. Pest Watch: USDA also confirmed the screwworm detection in Texas, warning ranchers to stay vigilant as summer conditions could help spread the parasite. Fisheries & Costs: Malaysia expects a slight end-of-year dip in fish output as deep-sea Zone C2 vessels cut operations due to higher diesel costs. Aquaculture Trade: Malaysia is awaiting Thailand’s response on shrimp import questions and tightened sea bass import checks, including requiring a Certificate of Analysis. Soil & Learning: Illinois’ Agronomy Days and the “Talking Crop” podcast return to help corn and soybean growers with field-focused guidance on diseases, cover crops, soil health and weather extremes. Climate Innovation (Food Security): Nepal’s WFP and the agriculture ministry launched a climate innovation accelerator to back startups with tools like solar irrigation, digital farm advice, and satellite-based insurance. Sustainability Finance: Ireland’s Certified Irish Angus partnered with Bank of Ireland to roll out Enviroflex sustainability-linked loans for beef farmers. Regional Cooperation: Nepal’s agriculture minister urged South Asian cooperation to tackle shared environmental threats like plastic pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss.

Farm policy & animal welfare: Congress is weighing a farm bill move that could roll back state livestock welfare rules, targeting California’s Proposition 12 and raising alarms for producers facing a patchwork of standards. Irrigation & manufacturing: Netafim’s Israeli drip-irrigation arm opened a major precision-ag factory in Mexico, aiming to expand supply and create local jobs. Pest threat to livestock: Texas confirmed a second New World screwworm case, prompting tighter animal import rules and emergency response fears for the cattle sector. Water, drought, and planting delays: In Kansas, drought eased slightly but wet weather is delaying wheat finishing and affecting fieldwork timing. Seeds & regulation: Pakistan’s National Seed Policy was approved, with officials calling it a turning point for quality, research, and productivity. Farmers finally get paid: Iraq released overdue compensation to farmers after protests, including higher wheat procurement prices. Monsoon outlook: India’s southwest monsoon reached parts of the Northeast and should spread across the region in days, boosting hopes for the season. Agri-business & roads: The Philippines’ Zamboanga del Sur secured P345M for farm-to-market roads to cut transport costs and improve market access. Carbon & forests: Tanzania discussed using carbon trading to fund rural livelihoods and climate resilience. Community ag & training: Nagaland University trained poultry farmers to reduce import dependence and improve disease management and production practices.

Food Safety Watch: Kenya’s KALRO flagged cereals in markets with aflatoxin levels up to 50 times above the legal limit, renewing calls for cheaper testing and stronger safeguards. Climate & Water Risk: Colorado is pushing drought-tolerant, less-thirsty crop options as water stress deepens, while NASA satellites report persistent “zero-replenishment” groundwater zones in Brazil’s aquifers—an early warning for other major farming regions. Farm Resilience & Inputs: With El Niño fears and a slow monsoon in Maharashtra, authorities advise farmers not to rush sowing; in the Philippines, Zamboanga del Sur secured P345m for farm-to-market roads to cut transport costs and boost market access. Policy & Governance: Kenya cooperative leaders discussed an economic advisory council to improve governance and accountability across cooperatives. Agriculture Meets Industry: Ghana President Mahama toured Belarus agro-processing to speed up dairy and food processing upgrades for food security. Rural Livelihoods: Kerala launched an “Ashwas-2026” one-time settlement for cooperative loan defaulters, suspending attachments and waiving penal interest during the program. Global Trade & Food Systems: India’s monsoon outlook and export headwinds are raising concerns about slower farm growth, while World Food Safety Day messaging in Pakistan emphasized science-led controls across the food chain.

Livestock Biosecurity: A second New World screwworm case was confirmed in Texas, in a one-month-old calf near the first detection, prompting tighter surveillance and containment as officials warn the flesh-eating pest could disrupt cattle supply and raise meat prices. Trade & Food Security: Canada moved to temporarily ban Texas livestock imports after the screwworm detection, while the U.S. ramps up response measures. Research Funding: Canada’s federal plan to cut agricultural research led to organic plots at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre being torn up, risking loss of 19 years of data and leaving organic growers with a major gap in support. Input Access: Pakistan’s Punjab launched “one-stop” Model Agriculture Malls, with four already operating and plans to expand to 10 more districts, offering inputs, expert advice, and machinery rental. Value-Added Rice: Malaysia is pushing local white rice into downstream snack products, aiming to boost returns for farmers and open wider markets. Policy & Courts: A federal judge blocked Trump SNAP funding restrictions in 20 states and DC, arguing the conditions could disrupt nutrition programs for low-income families. Community Ag: Venezuela’s Communal Sowing Plan gets a boost via coordination with communes to strengthen local production of staple foods.

Land & Food Security Activism (Philippines): Central Luzon farmers and civil society launched the “Save the Rice Granary Movement,” calling for a two-year moratorium on land-conversion permits as farmland loss accelerates food insecurity. Land Disputes (Cambodia): Residents in Preah Vihear met authorities and firms over alleged farmland clearing and threats tied to large concessions granted to China Great Cause and Global Green. US Disaster Support (Georgia): SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for Georgia small businesses and private nonprofits hit by drought losses starting Dec. 15, 2025, with eligibility also covering small agricultural cooperatives and nurseries. Animal Health (Texas): USDA/NRCS in Texas stepped up New World Screwworm risk-reduction support for ranchers, including surveillance and access-control guidance. Climate & Water Stress (South Asia/Africa): Studies warn Rajshahi’s monsoon rainfall has fallen ~34% over decades, while Kenya’s weather outlook urges moisture-saving practices like mulching and tied ridges. Ag Finance Gap (Africa): Kenya will host the FINAS 2026 summit in Nairobi to tackle a $100B annual agriculture financing shortfall, aiming to turn commitments into bankable investments. Policy & Public Debate (US/UK/EU): A US judge blocked new SNAP funding conditions; the UK faces renewed CBAM fertiliser-levy pressure from farmers; and the EU announced $107M to expand ocean monitoring. Local Ag & Markets (UK/Global): Open Farm Sunday returns June 7 to connect consumers with producers, while West Africa’s rice push highlights the need to mobilize capital for scaling production.

Budget Standoff in Ghana: Ghana’s Finance Ministry says it has released over GH¢1.6bn to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (85% of the 2026 Goods & Services and CAPEX allocation), citing high execution rates—MoFA disputes the claim, pointing to a first-half expenditure cap of GH¢910m. Animal Health Emergency (US): New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas for the first time in decades, triggering quarantine and heightened surveillance; Colorado, Tennessee, and Georgia have moved to tighten warm-blooded animal movement rules, with officials stressing vigilance rather than panic. Climate Risk for Farmers: A study warns hail risk is shifting toward cooler regions and more winter/shoulder seasons as the planet warms, raising stakes for crop planning. Market Watch: Soybeans and corn keep sliding on weather and weak export demand; grain and livestock futures closed mixed on June 5. Horticulture & Local Produce: Rangpur farmers in Bangladesh are preparing for a bumper Haribhanga mango harvest despite hail and heavy rains. Trade & Inputs: The US is cutting tariffs on some agricultural equipment, aiming to reduce input costs for farmers.

Biosecurity Shock in Livestock: The New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas for the first time in decades, triggering quarantines, livestock movement limits, expanded surveillance and mass sterile-fly releases to protect cattle and other warm-blooded animals. Food Prices Watch: FAO says global food prices dipped slightly in May as vegetable oil costs fell, but overall levels stayed near a three-year high, with cereals and sugar still rising. El Niño Planning: Philippines House Speaker Faustino Dy III urged early preparation for El Niño risks to farmers and food security, citing an 80% chance developing by mid-2026. Urban Farming Push: Manila’s Luneta Urban Garden greenhouse relaunch highlights smart, automated growing to boost local food production. Trade & Compliance: Customs in Manila stopped a misdeclared shipment of carrots and noodles; Malaysia’s border forces seized 1,400 orchid plants over quarantine/pest concerns. Livestock Policy Debate: Philippines pork import rules under an expanded MAV drew pushback from AmCham over potential supply-chain and retail-price impacts. Agritech Investment Signal: AgriWebb’s acquisition by URUS is framed as investor momentum toward ag data infrastructure, not just farm software.

Animal Health Emergency: USDA confirmed the first New World screwworm case in the U.S. in decades, found in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas, triggering quarantine and movement controls; Texas officials and neighboring states say the risk is mainly to livestock and pets, not the food supply, while Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller criticized USDA for moving too slowly. Pest Pressure in Crops: Philippines sugar producers warn red-striped soft scale insect is spreading farm-to-farm in Negros and Panay, urging large-scale preemptive action like aerial spraying. Trade & Food Security: India and the U.S. signaled renewed momentum on a trade pact after talks, while India also shipped its first sea consignment of ready-to-cook millet foods to New Zealand. Policy & Markets: USDA data shows grocery prices up 0.7% in a month and 2.9% year over year, and NGFA backs CFTC changes to improve futures market transparency. Land, Climate, Biodiversity: A new global analysis links better land use and management to gains for biodiversity, climate mitigation, and farm incomes. Aquaculture Cooperation: Uzbekistan and South Korea launch a new phase of aquaculture collaboration, including training and technology sharing.

Biochar at Industrial Scale (India): Jain Irrigation Systems commissioned a ~20,000-ton-per-year biochar facility in Jalgaon, turning crop and fruit-processing residues into durable carbon while boosting soil health. Livestock Health & AMR (FAO): FAO warns antimicrobial resistance is a long-term threat to food security, projecting livestock antimicrobial use could rise ~30% by 2040 without action. Pulse Breeding Boost (Australia): A new $9.5m faba bean breeding program aims to raise yield, disease resistance, and quality as the crop expands. Pest Pressure (Australia): Agriculture Victoria urges north-west Victoria farmers to report locust activity as adult numbers run above normal and egg-laying sites are being targeted. Food Safety & Trade (Egypt): Egypt’s orange exports are growing, but EU scrutiny is rising after pesticide-residue rejections. Cattle Biosecurity (US): USDA opened a new livestock insects lab in Texas to tackle invasive fly and tick threats. Drought Relief (US): USDA declared emergency drought conditions in parts of New Mexico and Colorado, unlocking farm loans for affected producers. Fertilizer Cost Strain (US): South Carolina’s agriculture commissioner primary spotlights fertilizer and diesel price spikes squeezing margins. Agritech & Markets (Zambia): Serbian firm FPM Agromehanika plans a Lusaka machinery assembly plant to serve southern Africa and build farmer capacity. Cultivated Meat (Netherlands): RespectFarms inaugurates the world’s first cultivated meat farm on a dairy site, testing a farm-integrated “scale-out” model.

Agriculture Rescue in Sonoma County: Supervisors approved an action plan to stabilize a struggling local ag economy, aiming to prevent more vineyard and dairy losses through an incubator for new farmers, affordable long-term leases, and expanded education and programming. Irrigation Modernization in Georgia: Kakheti’s Lower Samgori system will be rehabilitated to boost reliable irrigation from 4,430 to 7,320 hectares, with pipeline distribution enabling water metering and more efficient use. Plant Health in Minnesota: Emerald ash borer was confirmed in Kandiyohi County, triggering an emergency quarantine covering the whole county and restricting movement of firewood and ash material. Trade Relief for Farmers: The U.S. eased tariffs on certain farm equipment, cutting rates from 25% to 15% through end-2027 to lower machinery input costs. Food Supply Security in the U.S.: CBP seized 337 hatching eggs from Germany at Cincinnati over avian influenza documentation concerns, handing them to USDA for action. Animal Health Alert in Texas: USDA reported a suspected New World screwworm case in South Texas, with lab testing underway. Water Quality Focus: A new guidance piece highlights how phosphorus and sediment runoff from fields and farmyards can be cut by breaking the pathway to waterways. Local Policy in Maharashtra: Eligibility rules tightened for a Rs 36,585-crore farm loan waiver, excluding higher-income groups and certain officials while targeting overdue crop loans.

Water & Farm Policy: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed House File 2771, boosting water-quality funding for “Farm to Faucet” upgrades with nearly $320M over 12 years. Climate Risk Prep: India’s agriculture ministry told states to activate district contingency plans as El Niño and a below-normal monsoon threaten kharif output, pushing drought-tolerant seeds and moisture-saving steps. Poultry Disease Rules: South Africa moved to amend its animal disease framework to allow HPAI vaccinations, aiming to reduce repeated mass culling losses. Aquaculture & Trade: Malaysia’s shrimp import ban hit Thai farmers’ livelihoods, while Cameroon signed a Kribi port-zone deal to expand aquaculture and cut fish import dependence. Farm Tech: China’s Anhui used tethered lighting drones to help wheat harvest at night. Local Food & Community: Pennsylvania highlighted invasive-species work at Native Species Day, and Shoreline Farmers Market opened its 15th season June 6. Agribusiness Watch: South Africa’s citrus exporters warned supply-chain disruptions are squeezing margins.

Bioenergy & Ag Residues: netiBIO (STEER World) won a BBB Expo 2026 award for biomass pre-conditioning that can boost compressed biogas yields up to 2.1x. Syria’s Specialty Crop Pressure: In al-Marah, Damask rose harvests are back after better rainfall, but low prices and aging growers threaten the centuries-old tradition. Dairy Biosecurity: Utah detected HPAI at a Cache County dairy and ordered mandatory weekly surveillance, with quarantines for any positive sites. Herbicide Health Concerns: A new cohort study links glyphosate exposure in agricultural workers in El Salvador and Nicaragua to kidney health impacts, raising fresh occupational-safety questions. Feed & Livestock Economics: The lysine market is projected to grow to $9.7B by 2033 as animal-feed demand rises. Trade & Grain Markets: China and Kazakhstan agreed to build a joint grain-trading platform, signaling more regional supply-chain planning. Policy & Markets: Georgia peach producers voted to extend the Georgia Peach Commission marketing order through 2029, keeping assessments at $0.10/bushel. Tech in the Barn: Nevada students toured Mill’s Dairy, highlighting its robotic milking barn and automation-driven dairy management.

Aquaculture Turnaround: Nordic Aqua Partners says Q1 harvest volumes and revenue jumped, and March delivered its first positive operational EBIT as its China RAS ramped up. Investor Spotlight on Seafood: FAIRR’s new Seafood Index scores major suppliers on risks like modern slavery, animal welfare, traceability and food safety, with Mowi topping the rankings. Dryland Farming Push: ICRISAT and India’s ICAR will host Dryland Congress 2026 in New Delhi (Sept 10–12) to speed resilient agri-food systems via science, policy and investment. Climate-Smart Viticulture: French winemakers are trialing “vitiforestry,” mixing vines with trees to buffer heat and drought. Energy Meets Land Use: Lightsource bp won planning approval for a 57MW solar-plus-storage project in Wales on lower-grade farmland, aiming for biodiversity net gain while keeping agricultural use possible. Fertilizer Shock in Wheat: Australia’s wheat output is forecast to drop sharply as fertilizer costs rise, linked to Middle East conflict pressures. Food Security Procurement: Egypt says wheat procurement has surpassed 4.3 million tons (86% of target) and extended winter wheat planting to June 15 after wet weather delayed fieldwork. Skills Gap Warning (UK): Lantra flags a widening land-based skills shortage that threatens rural jobs and food security. Farm Safety & Crime: Italy police arrested suspects in the murder of four Pakistani farm workers found dead in Calabria. Biochar for Carbon Credits: A new biochar methodology under the Satoyama Mace Initiative offers farmers a pathway to generate carbon assets while protecting biodiversity.

Water & Farm Policy (Iowa): Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the Farm to Faucet water quality package and the Iowa Farm Act, including nearly $320M over 12 years for farm-to-faucet infrastructure and monitoring, effective July 1. Dairy Update (US): U.S. milk output stayed up for the 14th straight month; April production hit 19.96B pounds (+2.7% y/y) as the U.S. dairy herd reached its largest level since mid-1993. Animal Health (Southern Africa): Namibia’s livestock sector is pushing stronger regional cooperation to protect foot-and-mouth disease-free status and avoid export shocks. Ag Tech (Robotics): Researchers in Japan say virtual tomato greenhouses can generate training data for harvesting robots, aiming to cut the labor-heavy photo labeling bottleneck. Trade & Exports (Armenia/EU): Armenia targets EU fruit and vegetable exports up 4–5x by year-end, saying quality is not the main barrier—transport costs and customs duties are. Market Reality (Philippines): A Benguet “rescue-buy” program in Atok helped 146 farmers move about 79,236 kilos of vegetables after a glut pushed prices down. Pest Watch (US): U.S. Customs intercepted a rare leafhopper species in imported leafy greens at Nogales and quarantined it.