AGP Executive Report

Andhra Pradesh Knowledge Push: CM N. Chandrababu Naidu backed the PanIIT Andhra Pradesh Summit 2026, saying IIT alumni (about 5 lakh nationwide) can help turn the state into a global knowledge hub. Telangana Water Loss: Telangana’s second water bodies census shows 10,371 water bodies vanished in eight years, with most losses in rural ponds—an issue for irrigation and farm resilience. Farmer Insurance Delay: Telangana’s Rythu Bima claims remain pending or returned after the state stopped paying LIC premiums, leaving families without coverage. Health in Farm Areas: Nepal reported 131 Japanese encephalitis cases this year, with most infections linked to communities near paddy fields and pig farms; vaccination campaigns are underway. Food System Forum: Global Food Week 2026 opens in Abu Dhabi (Oct 6-8) with FAO and WOAH among partners, focusing on food security and agrifood transformation. Post-Harvest Boost (Cambodia): Japan’s KUSANONE grant ($164k) will upgrade Kratie cashew post-harvest facilities with warehouses, drying yards and moisture testers. Agritourism Grants: Airbnb will fund 25-30 farmers/ranchers with up to $10,000 to host guests and diversify farm income. Climate-to-COP31 Youth Input: Asia-Pacific youth were urged to turn climate ideas into COP31 recommendations, including climate-smart agriculture and disaster preparedness.

Agriculture Policy & Livelihoods (India): Rahul Gandhi launched “Satyagraha,” a digital map to collect and connect protest stories from farmers, students, tribals, Dalits and women across India. Climate & Farming Risk: India’s monsoon has retreated with dry, hot conditions returning to much of the north, while parts of the south and northeast may still see isolated thunderstorms; the season ended with a near-13% rainfall deficit linked to El Niño. Food Security & Water: UNHRC side event in Geneva warned that India’s Indus Waters Treaty move to abeyance could threaten water security, agriculture and livelihoods for millions in the Indus Basin. Drought Impact (Karnataka): Karnataka Deputy CM said drought losses could reach Rs 50,000–60,000 crore as assessments continue across drought-hit taluks. Human–Wildlife Conflict (Uttar Pradesh): Farmers in the Terai Elephant Reserve are trialling turmeric alongside paddy/maize/sugarcane to reduce crop damage and protect incomes. Agritech & Trade (Asia-Pacific): Togo expanded space cooperation with Kyrgyzstan to use satellite data for crop and drought monitoring, while Piyush Goyal pitched India’s food processing and value-chain upgrades to US firms in Chicago. New Crop Variety (India): India approved black gram (urdbean) variety “Mash 878” for commercial cultivation in the North West Plain Zone.

Smart Farming in China: International journalists toured Heilongjiang’s “grain barn” and saw driverless harvesters, drone patrols and satellite-guided machinery turning large-scale farming more efficient. Transport Boost for Rural Growth: China’s new Harbin–Yichun high-speed rail cut travel time to about two hours, supporting tourism and development in border and forest regions. Grain Market Watch: Traders say grain prices are still driven most by trade, while rising production costs keep pressure on farmers. India Water Stress: India’s monitored reservoirs are below last year and normal averages across key regions, with El Niño-linked risks raising concerns for Rabi irrigation. Fertilizer Shock in Zambia: Zambian farmers are turning to bokashi compost as fertilizer prices climb amid global conflict-linked costs. Coffee Value Chain in Nagaland: India’s North Eastern Council pushes coffee development beyond planting—adding roads, processing, post-harvest and export links. Dairy Cooperatives Push in India: “White Revolution 2.0” aims to expand organized milk procurement via new and strengthened dairy societies and more processing capacity. Ladakh Saffron Pilot: Ladakh is testing saffron cultivation on restored barren land to create high-value livelihoods in the cold desert. Philippines Opens Meat Imports: Colombia’s beef and pork veterinary certificates were approved, allowing firms to apply for Philippine import permits. Trade & Tariffs: US-China tariff truce lists include many ag goods, but soybeans for food/crushing were excluded, adding uncertainty for producers.

Food Security Shock: UN FAO data shows world food prices near a four-year high, driven by hot/dry weather, logistics disruptions, and El Niño-linked supply worries—pushing up sugar, meat, oils, dairy and cereals. Climate & Farming Stress: India’s Southwest monsoon withdrawal is uneven, with the Northeast still facing a 26% rainfall deficit (June–September), raising risks for crops and rural incomes. Wildfire Burden in Rural India: In Uttarakhand’s Western Himalayas, women act as first responders to escalating forest fires, often without pay or protective gear, as men migrate for work. Trade Tensions With Farm Impacts: India’s EAM Jaishankar warns conflicts in Ukraine and the Iran-Gulf could disrupt energy, grain shipping and fertiliser production—stacking risks for a major food crisis. ASEAN-Australia Agribusiness Push: ASEAN vice-minister Milena Rangel highlighted food security and agribusiness as a key theme at the Australia–ASEAN Business Forum 2026 in Adelaide. Market Access for Farmers: Bihar’s makhana export hits Greece—1 MT shipped via APEDA—aiming for better farmer returns through stronger export linkages. Food Safety & Inspections: Pennsylvania restaurant inspections flagged hygiene lapses in produce/food handling, underscoring ongoing food-safety vigilance.

Fertiliser shock lifts grain prices: West Asia tensions and Strait of Hormuz disruption are tightening fertiliser supply, pushing up DAP costs and raising corn and soybean prices as farmers cut back on inputs. El Niño risk to farming: Forecasts point to a strengthening El Niño through early 2027, with knock-on effects for rainfall, water and agriculture across regions including parts of Asia and Africa. India food-security stance: India’s G20 trade ministers backed a statement against “weaponisation of food,” while also urging safeguards for food stocks amid fertilizer and market disruptions. China-US tariff truce with farm gaps: A new tariff-cut framework reduces duties on many goods, but soybean commitments remain limited/excluded, leaving grain markets jittery. Soybean processing boosts farm value: Nebraska’s soybean crush plants are creating new markets—meal for livestock and oil for renewable diesel—showing how processing capacity can reshape farm profitability. Livestock recovery, disease still a risk: South Africa’s cattle recovery is improving grazing and margins, but foot-and-mouth, ASF and HPAI continue to threaten meat trade. Trade and logistics for agri goods: A China-funded highway in Cambodia is easing transport for farmers and boosting local trade, while AI tools are emerging to streamline grain supply-chain decisions. Policy on farm inputs: India revised anti-dumping duties on jute goods from Bangladesh and Nepal, aiming to protect domestic mills and jobs.

Climate & Water Stress: India’s monsoon ended with a 12.6% rainfall deficit, raising alarms for rabi sowing and water recharge, while drought declarations in Maharashtra show how quickly weak rains can hit farm output. Farm Fires Shift: Satellite monitoring flags Madhya Pradesh as a rising farm-fire hotspot, with sharp jumps in wheat-residue burning after declines in Punjab and Haryana. Food-Security Policy: India urged G20 trade ministers to distinguish legitimate food-security actions from “weaponisation of food,” as talks focus on coercive trade measures. Rice Trials: Solomon Islands’ agriculture ministry is nearing harvest in final field trials of two rice varieties (MAL 1 and MAL 2) with quality checks planned post-harvest. Market Integrity: Nashik onion procurement is under scrutiny, with farmers asked to submit complaints and evidence over alleged irregularities. Biosecurity Alert: Australia detected a devastating soil-borne fungus (Monosporascus cannonballus) in cucurbits, with spread reported across multiple countries. Trade & Ag Exports: Liberia-China trade rose 16% year-on-year, helped by China’s zero-tariff treatment and Liberia’s first dried chili pepper exports. Labor & Farming Finance: JN Money launched short-term loans for Jamaican seasonal farmworkers in Canada to bridge cash gaps before earnings start. ASEAN-China Environment: EarthCare Foundation co-organized an ASEAN-China forum sub-session on climate-resilient cities, livelihoods, and coastal resilience.

Natural Farming Training: 50 Nepali officials have departed for India for a five-day natural farming program at Gurukul, Kurukshetra, supported by the Indian government, aiming to spread practical, sustainable methods. Women Farmers’ Push: India’s Bharatiya Kisan Sangh convened thousands of women farmers in Delhi, calling for stronger recognition of women’s role in agriculture and rural prosperity. Soybean Trade Shock: China’s weak soybean demand and negative crush margins are expected to curb future buying, and soybeans were excluded from proposed US tariff relief after the Xi–Trump summit, leaving US farmers “disappointed.” Grain Handling Tech: A new focus on AI-driven grain elevator operations highlights how faster decisions on storage, blending and logistics are becoming critical as volatility rises. Weather Risk to Harvests: Hurricane Polo’s tropical moisture is driving heavy rain and flash-flood watches in southern Nebraska, threatening harvest operations. Biogas Policy Boost: India’s Cabinet approved the ₹23,731 crore GOBARdhan scheme to scale compressed biogas and organic recycling across the value chain. Water Monitoring for Farms: A UW study finds a NASA satellite can track irrigation canal water levels across Asia, offering better guidance for water use. Trade Tensions at G20: G20 trade talks in Milwaukee face tariff pressure, with the US pushing action on excess industrial capacity while countries seek deals.

El Niño Fallout in Asia-Pacific: The Philippines’ agriculture and health agencies are ramping up El Niño preparations as “very strong” conditions are expected to persist into 2027, with reported damage to rice, corn, cassava, high-value crops, and livestock; losses were put at P6.87B affecting 223,214 farmers and 249,028 hectares, alongside 338 water pumps and P10.96B in interventions. India Farm Output Under Pressure: India set a 2026-27 foodgrain target of 373.93 mt while drought concerns linger across Karnataka, Maharashtra, parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Rajasthan, with plans to shift toward less water-intensive crops like pulses and oilseeds. Trade Rules for Farmers: India’s agriculture minister said the government will launch an FTA awareness drive so farmers understand which products qualify, export standards, and market demand—aimed at turning zero-duty access into real farm opportunities. China Soybeans Watch: China’s soybean buying is expected to slow due to weak feed demand and negative crush margins, and soybeans were excluded from proposed tariff relief, tightening prospects for US cargoes. Agri-Tech Startup Push: Hyderabad’s T-Hub launched a venture studio with agri-tech and space-tech tracks, offering selected founders 100% equity and support to build solutions for precision farming, irrigation, climate resilience and mechanisation. China-PNG Ties: China and Papua New Guinea marked 50 years of diplomatic relations, highlighting trade, investment and engineering cooperation that includes agriculture-linked development.

El Niño Impacts Philippines Farming: The Philippines’ agriculture and health agencies are ramping up El Niño preparations as the weather system is forecast to intensify to “very strong” status by late 2026, with damage already logged across rice, corn, cassava, high-value crops, and livestock; the Department of Agriculture reports P6.87B in losses affecting 223,214 farmers and 249,028 hectares, with corn hit hardest and 77% of affected land still recoverable. India Food Security Warning: India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar warns of a major food crisis ahead, pointing to fertiliser shortages, disrupted grain shipments, and super El Niño; the government also set a lower 2026-27 foodgrain target of 373.93M tonnes amid shifting acreage and water stress. Telangana Drought Relief Push: Telangana asks the Centre for special assistance for mandals facing rainfall deficits, urging micro-irrigation, protective irrigation, water conservation, and even price support for drought-tolerant maize and sorghum. Cotton Procurement Planning (India): Adilabad expects 52.07 lakh quintals of cotton arrivals in Kharif 2026-27, with moisture checks and slot-based procurement via the Kapas Kisan App. Agri Tech for Traceability (Coffee): Wingsure launches Wingsure COFFEA™, aiming to capture and verify farm-level evidence to support coffee traceability, risk management, and sourcing decisions. Trade & Tariffs Ripple (Soybeans): U.S. soybean groups say China’s remaining 10% tariff keeps pressure on soy exports, with the “30-for-30” framework excluding soybeans from near-term relief. School Farm Harvest (Fiji): Fiji’s Ratu Kadavulevu School harvests pumpkin, Chinese cabbage and bele from a ministry-supported school farm to feed students and build practical skills. Kazakhstan Grain Outlook: Kazakhstan’s agriculture ministry forecasts about 23M tonnes of grain harvest in 2026, below last year’s record, with exports projected near 13M tonnes.

US–China Tariff Relief (Agri Impact): The US and China released reciprocal product lists for about $30B each, with tariff cuts covering many farm goods—but China’s list notably excludes non-seed soybeans, drawing criticism from US soybean groups. India–US Trade Talks: EAM S Jaishankar said an India-US trade deal is “very far advanced,” but Section 301 and tariff-rule complexity still matter. India Water Stress: India’s reservoir storage fell below the decade average, with southern reservoirs at about half capacity, raising drought risk for irrigation and drinking water. Cold Chain & Warehousing: India’s DPIIT with ADB is building grading and rating benchmarks for warehouses and cold chains to unlock better credit and incentives. Agri-Solar Push: Vikram Solar won a 400 MW module order for decentralised agri-solar projects in Maharashtra, with deliveries starting Oct 2026. Farm Land Concerns (Punjab): Drone surveys in Punjab’s Malwa are sparking fears of land pooling and acquisition, with villagers stopping teams. Climate Risk: A “Godzilla” El Niño is intensifying, with potential knock-on effects for monsoons and food prices across the region. Korea Livestock Waste-to-Energy: South Korea plans to turn livestock manure into solid fuel by 2030 to cut emissions and reduce coal reliance.

US–China Tariff Truce for $60B: After Xi’s Washington visit, the US and China agreed to recommend tariff cuts on $60B of “non-sensitive” goods via a new Board of Trade, with agriculture included on the China list (corn, wheat, sorghum, meat, dairy, seafood, vegetable oils) but soybeans notably excluded, keeping a 10% tariff in place and weighing on US soybean demand. Soybean Market Jitters: Soybeans slid to a 2+ week low as traders digested the missing soybean relief; private crushers face tougher economics while state buyers continue most purchases. India Herbicide Ban: India banned Paraquat Dichloride, citing severe risks to people and animals, aligning with nearly 70 countries that restrict it. Mustard Breeding Push: Cibus and Crystal Crop will develop gene-edited traits for India’s mustard (Brassica juncea) to boost yields and reduce reliance on imported edible oils. Floods Hit Farms: Heavy rain in India’s Uttar Pradesh killed at least 81 and damaged farms and homes. Japan Wildlife Pressure: Raccoon damage in Japan is surging, with agricultural losses nearing 700 million yen as they move into cities. Philippines Banana Exports: Davao’s Cavendish banana exports remain a major earner, with bananas driving nearly half of regional export revenue.

Trade & Farm Access: China and the U.S. agreed to reciprocal tariff cuts on about $60bn of goods, with China trimming duties on many U.S. farm items (corn, wheat, sorghum, meat, dairy, vegetable oils and meals) while soybeans are excluded—a key signal for Asia’s grain and oilseed flows. Climate Risk for Crops: India’s agriculture ministry flagged Rabi-season threats in rainfed areas as El Niño strengthens; officials urged states to plan beyond reservoir levels and assess farmer survival, groundwater and water needs. Disaster Hits Food Supply: Heavy monsoon rain and flooding in India and Nepal killed dozens and damaged thousands of hectares of cropland, adding pressure to harvests and rural incomes. Farm Mechanisation Funding: India’s Balwaan Krishi raised ~₹100 crore in Series B to expand affordable farm mechanisation. Invasive Species Watch: Japan reports rising raccoon crop damage, spreading from rural areas into cities. Agri Tech in the Field: China’s Yuanyang Hani Terraces are adopting drones and faster planting methods, blending heritage farming with modern tech. Dairy & Fresh Produce Markets: Westfalia Fruit says avocado growth in Asia now depends on variety, ripening and category promotion—not just volume.

US–China Trade & AI: The Xi–Trump state visit delivered a two-month extension of the trade truce and reciprocal tariff cuts on $30B of non-sensitive goods each way, with agriculture and seafood among the covered items, plus a new AI dialogue and an AI incident communication channel. India–Fiji Sugar Tech: India handed Fiji Sugar Corporation 12 agricultural drones to boost technology-enabled, sustainable sugarcane production. India–Netherlands Ag Ties: Dutch minister Silvio Erkens visits India to deepen cooperation in agriculture, horticulture and sustainable food processing. Farm Tech for Theft Control: In Maharashtra’s pomegranate belt, farmers are using solar/night-vision CCTV to protect orchards during harvest. Climate Pressure on Food: Japan is expanding heat-tolerant rice varieties as “cruelly hot” weather threatens yields; California biologists warn warmer Sacramento River conditions could kill up to 20% of Chinook salmon eggs. Flood Impacts: Heavy rain and landslides across India and Nepal have killed dozens, with submerged fields adding to farm losses. Export Value Boost: India’s GI-tagged Kalaburagi tur dal reached the Maldives, lifting farmer realisations by over 30% via export-linked channels. Agri-Input Launch: Dhanuka Agritech rolled out new paddy fungicide and spray adjuvant products for crop protection.

Farm Diversification (Bangladesh): A Jhenaidah farmer, Nazrul Islam, says he earned over Tk 100,000 in two months by growing Nandini (Lisianthus/Eustoma) under polythene sheds and selling daily in Dhaka. Drought & Water Politics (India): Maharashtra declared drought in 265 of 358 talukas; Congress MP Pawan Khera questioned whether water/power will be diverted from farmers to data-centre expansion. Bioenergy Push (India): India’s Renewable Energy India Expo 2026 is set to unlock ₹2,800 crore for bioenergy, riding momentum from the GOBARdhan circular bioenergy scheme. Online Herbicide Crackdown (India): CCPA fined Amazon, Flipkart (₹10 lakh each) and JioMart (₹5 lakh) for selling an unregistered herbicide, ordering platforms to stop listings and submit compliance reports. Cold-Chain Exports (India): A report highlights how modernising temperature-controlled logistics—from farm pre-cooling to airport handoffs—can make Indian fresh exports meet overseas standards. Market Access (India): APEDA flagged off 1 tonne of GI-tagged Kalaburagi tur dal to the Maldives, with farmers reportedly earning ~Rs 82/kg via the export-linked chain. Climate Risk (Japan): Typhoon flooding in Chiba swept away about 100,000 ornamental carp, threatening local aquaculture and fisheries.

GCC–India Trade Push: GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said ties with India are accelerating, with the 2nd GCC-India Joint Ministerial Meeting highlighting plans to deepen cooperation in agriculture, energy, tech and digital transformation, and to start GCC-India FTA talks. US–China Tariff Relief for Agri Goods: After Xi’s Washington visit, the US and China agreed on tariff cuts covering $30bn of “non-sensitive” goods in each direction, including US agricultural goods and a new Board of Trade working group to tackle agricultural market access barriers. Maharashtra Drought Update: India’s Maharashtra declared drought across 74% of the state as El Niño-linked monsoon shortfalls threaten crops like cotton, soybeans, sugarcane and pulses, with officials promising timely support for farmers and farm labourers. Fiji El Niño Preparedness: Fiji urged early action for water shortages, fire risk and farm stress as forecasts point to below-normal rainfall into 2027, focusing on water conservation, crop/livestock protection and health safeguards. Argentina Grain Export Windfall: Rosario expects Argentina’s 2026/27 harvest to reach 156m tons and projects about $40bn in farm export dollars in 2027, boosted by Black Sea supply shocks and demand from Asia. Odisha Water Resilience: Odisha won a top state award at India International Water Week for climate-resilient water management, featuring irrigation restoration, direct-seeded rice, green manuring, crop diversification and rice-fish farming. Andhra Tobacco Credit: India approved a one-time ₹50,000 per barn interest-free loan for flue-cured Virginia tobacco growers in Andhra via DBT to fund inputs and repay loans.

El Niño food-price shock: The UN’s FAO warns the “Godzilla” El Niño could push world food prices to the highest since 2022, with South and Southeast Asia among the hardest hit and poorer households most exposed. India ag policy fight: India’s agrochemical manufacturers’ body PMFAI opposes five-year regulatory data protection for agrochemicals, arguing India already has enough patent time and incentives for innovation. Rice protection push: Dhanuka Agritech launched Polin, a new paddy fungicide aimed at longer-lasting control of leaf and neck blast, targeting fewer sprays and lower costs. Aquaculture scaling: India’s Aquapulse won global recognition in Bangkok for its shrimp traceability model and plans to expand from 7,000+ farmers to 10,000 and raise procurement toward 5,000 tonnes. Water stress focus: Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath backed PM Modi’s push for better water data, warning groundwater extraction is already outpacing replenishment in major farming states. Himalayan climate resilience: Nepal’s PM Balendra Shah proposed a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism with India and China, including satellite data sharing and early-warning systems. Trade talks with ag angle: The US and China extended their trade truce and set up an agriculture market-access working group, with some agricultural goods flagged for preferential tariffs. India–GCC cooperation: India and the GCC reviewed their joint action plan and discussed food security and shipping challenges, with trade at $178.66bn in FY25-26.