AGP Executive Report

Climate Risk for Asia-Pacific Farms: NOAA confirmed El Niño has formed and is expected to intensify, raising odds of drought, weaker South Asia monsoon, heatwaves and wildfires—bad news for crop calendars and water planning. India Farm Support & Inputs: PM Modi reiterated farmers as the backbone of food security, pointing to PM-Kisan, crop insurance, credit cards and solar irrigation under PM-KUSUM. Fertiliser Supply Watch (South Asia): Nepal says it will ensure up to 600,000 tonnes of subsidised chemical fertiliser by fiscal year-end, with remaining stocks and imports planned to avoid paddy-season shortages. Carbon Removal Meets Rural Livelihoods (India): Microsoft signed a first Asia carbon-removal deal with Bengaluru startup Alt Carbon, linking enhanced rock weathering to reviving Darjeeling tea estates and working with thousands of farmers. Trade & Market Access (Asia-Africa angle): China’s zero-tariff access for 53 African countries is welcomed, but small farmers still face certification, credit and logistics barriers. Agri-innovation from Waste (Bangladesh): Researchers turn jute waste into eco-friendly printing ink and graphene, aiming to cut import dependence and create new value streams. Renewables & Rural Reliability (India): A report argues India’s renewable push must be judged by whether it improves reliable energy access for rural livelihoods, not just installed capacity.

Ethanol Push for Farmers and Energy Security: India scrapped excise duty on petrol with 22%-30% ethanol (E22-E30) and launched E85 for flex-fuel vehicles, aiming to cut crude imports and lift domestic ethanol demand. Cotton Cost Relief: Madhya Pradesh halved cotton market fees to 0.50%, easing mandi charges for farmers and traders and expected to boost arrivals. Mango Export Headwinds: India’s mango trade took another hit as Japan and Nepal restricted imports over fumigation, disinfection and pesticide-residue concerns, adding pressure on growers. Water Tensions in South Asia: India’s water minister said New Delhi is “actively working” so “not a single drop of water” reaches Pakistan after suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, keeping irrigation and downstream security in the spotlight. Thailand Farm Debt Crisis: Rising fuel and fertiliser costs tied to the Iran war are deepening Thailand’s rice-farm debt problems as subsidies fall short. Japan Wildlife Safety: Bear attacks across nine Japanese prefectures left at least 27 injured or dead, including incidents near farmland and homes. Pakistan-China Livestock Trade: Pakistan and China signed an MTA to export buffalo genetic material, including embryos and semen, to support breed improvement. China-ASEAN Trade Momentum: Thailand’s business leaders pointed to China’s opening-up as a boost for premium Thai exports like durian. China Wheat Harvest Progress: China’s winter wheat harvest neared 70% nationwide with mechanised operations and generally favorable weather.

Agri Waste-to-Energy: SAEL commissioned a 14.9 MW biomass power plant in Rajasthan, lifting operational agri waste-to-energy capacity to 164.9 MW using paddy straw, mustard stubble and cotton stalks to cut open burning and boost rural jobs. Fertiliser Crunch: Maharashtra farmers report urea scarcity and higher input costs; officials say urea access is being managed while a fertiliser import tender saw much lower urea landed prices, easing pressure after earlier spikes. Weather Risk for Crops: India is bracing for El Niño-driven uncertainty, with warnings of weaker monsoon and heat stress that could hit kharif output and farm incomes. Food Security & Trade: FAO flagged Vietnam as a model for South-South cooperation under OCOP, while customs in the Philippines seized abandoned Chinese onions worth P86.6M. Pakistan-China Ag Push: CPEC 2.0 is expected to spur new Pakistan-China ventures in agriculture, industry and mining, backed by earlier corridor investment and jobs. Bees & Farm Science: New research says honeybee queen development depends not just on royal jelly but also the “wax palace” chamber built by workers, adding to apiculture know-how. Market Access: Assam’s Tezpur litchi is selling fast in Singapore after recent exports, reinforcing GI-led fruit export momentum.

Fertiliser Crunch Looms: A brewing global fertiliser squeeze tied to West Asia tensions could push up ammonia, urea and other nutrient prices, forcing India to consider bigger subsidies and straining farm budgets. Renewables & Rural Reliability: A debate is growing over whether India’s renewable push is truly improving energy security for rural households, where power reliability still affects irrigation and livelihoods. Japan Aquaculture Export Pivot: Japan’s fisheries white paper flags a shift to export-led aquaculture as domestic seafood demand falls, with exports hitting record levels in 2025. Heat-Resilient Rice: Japan is rapidly expanding heat-resistant rice planting, now a record share of acreage, as hotter summers threaten yields and grain quality. Assam–EU Blue Valley Cluster: Assam and the EU launched the Blue Valley Cluster (flavours, fragrance and AYUSH) to build research and value-chain links. Pakistan Cotton Plan: Pakistan’s PM asked for comprehensive plans to boost cotton output, including faster research modernization. Nepal Market Prices: Kathmandu’s Kalimati set wholesale prices for key vegetables and potatoes, signaling day-to-day cost pressures for growers and buyers. China Marine Governance: China marked the PSMA’s 10th anniversary, highlighting efforts to curb illegal fishing through international port controls. Indonesia Smallholders Under Stress: Indonesia’s grassroots farmers face “double exposure” from climate shocks and market volatility, with a major financing gap for adaptation.

Renewables & Rural Reliability: A new discussion in India’s energy transition argues that more grid connections don’t automatically mean dependable power for rural livelihoods, especially when storms knock out electricity. Agri Finance & Inputs Shock: FAO says the Strait of Hormuz crisis is turning into a fertilizer and production shock, urging more efficient fertilizer use, intercropping, and alternative inputs like green ammonia and biofertilizers. India Agri Markets: NCDEX is preparing to relaunch pepper futures by end-June, with contract design tied to SEBI’s cash-settlement-first approach. Climate-Smart Farming: India’s monsoon advance and El Niño risks are raising alarms for kharif planning and farm pay. BRICS Agriculture: A five-day BRICS agriculture meeting in Indore focuses on food security, climate-resilient farming, trade, and farmer welfare. China–Africa Agri-Tech: A China-Africa agri-tech forum opens in Kenya to push agricultural modernization via tech transfer and partnerships. Trade & Logistics: Maersk doubles China–East Africa peak surcharges, likely lifting costs for temperature-sensitive agri imports. Assam–EU Value Chains: Assam and the EU launch the Blue Valley Cluster for flavours, fragrance and AYUSH, aiming to spur investment and research. Tech for Farms: Reports project rapid growth for agriculture drones in Asia-Pacific, alongside expanding crop insurance and crop protection markets.

BRICS Agriculture Summit: India’s Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says BRICS will meet in Indore (June 10-14) to focus on food security, farmer welfare, smart farming, trade facilitation, and climate-resilient agriculture, with a joint declaration expected. Fertilizer Shock: G7 agriculture ministers held emergency talks over soaring fertilizer prices linked to Middle East turmoil and potential Strait of Hormuz disruptions, urging steps to protect supply chains for farmers. India Soil Push: India launched the “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” campaign (from June 1) in Madhya Pradesh to curb imbalanced fertilizer use, improve soil health via soil testing and field demonstrations, and promote climate-smart practices. Ethanol for Farmers & Energy: India rolled out E85 flex-fuel in New Delhi, aiming to cut crude imports and boost rural ethanol demand; officials also highlighted flex-fuel vehicles as key to scaling higher ethanol blends. Japan Bear Threat: A black bear hunt continues in Utsunomiya, with 94 schools closed again as urban bear attacks rise—climate and reduced natural food are cited. Trade Tensions at Home: Punjab farmers protested US trade deal concerns and fertilizer shortages tied to supply disruptions from the West Asia conflict. China Black Soil Win: FAO praised China’s black-soil protection efforts, citing legislation and large-scale soil data systems.

One Health for poultry: Experts at a SAARC Agriculture Centre webinar urged tighter coordination across human, animal and environmental health to curb disease outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance and food-safety risks as poultry expands across South Asia. Weather for farmers: Lucknow inaugurated a new Regional Meteorological Centre, highlighting India’s rapid Doppler radar build-out under Mission Mausam—aimed at more local, actionable forecasts for disaster management and agriculture. EU market access: India secured continued EU authorization beyond September 2026 for aquaculture products, honey, eggs and animal casings under AMR-linked rules, protecting about $1.59B in fisheries exports. Soil and land resilience (China): China’s Academy of Sciences reported major progress from its “Black Soil Granary” initiative, while Inner Mongolia’s sand-control work in Tongliao is expanding greenery and restoration. Farm input and biosecurity markets: New reports point to fast growth in poultry disinfectants and biocontrol, alongside rising demand for sustainable soil inputs like humic biostimulants. Fertiliser supply (India): Officials said kharif fertiliser stocks remain comfortable despite West Asia risks, with organic manure purchases jumping 3.5x as farmers shift preferences. Paddy procurement pressure (India): Tamil Nadu farmers protested delayed MSP payments for NCCF paddy procurement, demanding immediate disbursal.

ASEAN-Russia Summit (Philippines): Russia’s FM Sergey Lavrov says Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to meet Vladimir Putin at the ASEAN-Russia summit in Kazan (June 17-18), with talks flagged for trade, investment, energy and agriculture alongside digitalization and education. New Zealand Farm Conservation Funding: New Zealand’s National Party says it will double baseline funding for the QEII National Trust, boosting landowner-led conservation support that helps farmers cover costs like fencing and surveying. India Weather Risk for Crops: Maharashtra’s agriculture advisory warns against early kharif sowing, citing weak, patchy monsoon rains before June 15 and higher seed-failure risk. Biofuel Push Meets Backlash (India): India’s E85 rollout (85% ethanol) is pitched as cheaper fuel and support for sugarcane farmers, but critics warn of lower mileage and consumer cost impacts. Rice Disease Breakthrough (China): Chinese scientists report a new way to fight rice blast fungus, aiming for broader, greener disease resistance breeding. Agri-innovation (Pacific): Samoa’s Agri-Innovate Competition finale (EU/FAO STODAS project) spotlights agribusiness innovation and MSME growth across Pacific islands. Nepal Wildlife: Researchers confirm a rare Chinese pangolin in a sacred community forest in Sunsari using camera traps, adding a key conservation record outside protected areas.

Trade & Fisheries: Thailand says it’s ready to escalate Malaysia’s June 1 suspension of imports for five Thai shrimp species to WTO/ASEAN if talks fail, while rolling out 13 measures to protect southern shrimp farmers and keep farm-gate prices from sliding. Water-Smart Farming: A Philippine lawmaker urged government-led farmland leveling to improve irrigation efficiency as El Niño drought fears return, alongside rainwater harvesting and solar pumping. Border Water Politics: Bangladesh’s new government and India’s West Bengal shift are putting the Ganges and Teesta back in focus, with diplomats pushing for renewed cooperation on shared rivers. Farmgate Prices: Nashik onion growers question relaxed procurement norms after the Centre’s onion buy rate (Rs 15.80/kg) is seen as not covering input costs, despite eased size/quality rules. Agri-Value Chains: Bhaderwah’s 4th Lavender Festival wrapped up, spotlighting the “Purple Revolution” and linking farmers to buyers through meets and processing talks. Climate & Food Security: Experts warn monsoon rains can wash land-based waste into seas, calling for a national marine litter policy beyond beach cleanups. Weather Watch: IMD issued thunderstorm alerts for Madhya Pradesh as the monsoon advances. EU-India Agri-Food: An EU delegation will visit Assam (June 8-9) to explore collaboration, including tea and agri-food processing. Invasive Species: A study flags at least 112 non-native species in Japanese waters, with warming helping marine invasions spread and threatening aquaculture. El Niño Risk: Scientists warn a potentially “Godzilla” El Niño could reshape India’s monsoon and food prices.

Open-Sea Aquaculture: India’s ICAR-CMFRI and partners showcased a record 4-tonne harvest of Indian pompano from a 12-metre sea cage off Visakhapatnam, pointing to higher output potential and scaling steps for rough-sea farming. Trade & Fresh Produce: China’s blueberry boom is reaching Southeast Asia faster via RCEP trade facilitation and the China-Laos Railway, keeping berries fresher and cheaper. South Asia Fruit Flows: Nepal’s mango markets are shifting after India’s sudden import restrictions, with traders warning local supply may not cover year-round demand. Weather & Farm Risk: El Niño guidance is raising alarms across Asia for heat and drought stress, while India’s monsoon has reached Maharashtra on schedule—both signals for farm planning. Macro Outlook for Agriculture: Brokerage reports peg India’s FY27 growth near 6.5%, with agriculture GVA seen slowing if monsoon underperformance hits and input costs rise. Rural Livelihoods & Skills: India’s veterinary education conclave at SKUAST-K aims to modernize training for rural bio-economy, public health, and trade needs.

Farm Policy & Food Storage Scrutiny: India’s CPI leader Sandosh Kumar P urged an independent probe into Food Corporation of India (FCI) silo contracts, alleging cronyism and a heavy shift of storage capacity to a few private firms under the “hub and spoke” model. Farmer Protests: Hundreds of farmers in Rajasthan protested MSP wheat procurement, alleging low quotas and irregularities, and demanded transparency in weighing and payments. Monsoon Watch: India’s southwest monsoon is advancing faster after a Kerala delay, reaching Maharashtra on June 6; IMD expects Delhi’s first showers around June 25–30 if the pace holds. Climate Risk for Agriculture: China issued yellow rainstorm and orange mountain-torrent alerts, warning of heavy downpours affecting farmland and drainage needs. Ag Exports & Market Access: India’s women-led Aamrapali mango producer company in Jharkhand’s Simdega is exporting to the UK, while India’s “Mango Magic” promotion in Seattle showcased seven mango varieties to US importers and retailers. Sustainable Farming Push: Odisha Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo urged farmers to cut urea use, adopt natural farming and short-duration crops, and highlighted agrivoltaics to raise incomes.

Ethanol & Flex-Fuel Push: India launched its first flex-fuel car, with the Wagon R able to run on E20–E100, aiming to cut oil imports and boost ethanol demand for farmers. Macroeconomy With Farm Link: India’s GDP grew 7.8% in Q4 and 7.7% for FY26; primary-sector growth (agriculture and fisheries) rose 3.2%, while services and manufacturing stayed strong. South Asia Water Tensions: A fresh look at the Indus Waters Treaty suspension highlights how reduced transparency and data-sharing could complicate compliance in the Kishanganga dispute. Fertilizer Supply Security: Pakistan’s commerce ministry sought Rs 20bn support for rice exporters to meet India-compatible market needs, while PCJCCI backed a CPEC coal-based fertilizer plant to stabilize inputs and lower costs. Trade & Food Security: India and the Philippines’ joint trade group met in Manila, discussing customs, agricultural cooperation, and market access as bilateral trade hit $3.9bn in FY26. Climate Risk for Farming: El Niño-linked warnings point to hotter, more volatile conditions that could stress crops and food prices across Asia.

Flex-fuel push in India: India launched E85 (80–85% ethanol) at select pumps, with rollout to 500 outlets by Dec 2026 and about 5,000 by Dec 2027, aiming to lift ethanol blending toward ~26% by 2030-31. Urban food security in the Philippines: Manila’s Luneta Urban Garden greenhouse project is using automated smart farming to grow Japanese musk melons, backed by DA-BPI and DENSO. China farm science: Chinese researchers say new work on maize chloroplast “plastoglobules” could cut nitrogen fertilizer use while boosting protein content. Food safety in China: Authorities launched a probe after excessive antibiotics were found in pork products from Wangkui Shuanghui. Regional climate risk: Coverage highlights El Niño uncertainty and warnings that dry heat could disrupt Asian crops and food inflation. Trade & farm inputs watch: Reports track growth in atrazine and agricultural biologics markets, pointing to continued demand for weed control and lower-chemical crop protection. Agriculture-linked diplomacy: Laos-China ties deepen across connectivity, renewable energy, and modernization as China-ASEAN cooperation expands. Fruit export spotlight: Air India moved over 1,000 tonnes of mangoes abroad from March–May, led by Maharashtra and Gujarat.

El Niño & Monsoon Watch: India’s southwest monsoon has reached Kerala after a delay, but North India’s rain timing is still uncertain as El Niño strengthens—raising fears for planting and food prices. Heat Stress & Food Security: UNEP warns extreme heat is hitting outdoor and informal workers hardest, including agricultural labourers, as cities stay dangerously hot. Crop Risks Across Asia: Dry weather is already disrupting planting from India’s wheat belt to Thailand’s rice and Indonesia’s palm oil, with analysts linking the pressure to an expected severe El Niño. Trade & Market Signals: Japan reported record 2025 fishery exports (423.1 billion yen), while avocado exporters highlight growing Southeast Asia demand. Water & Farming Tensions: Pakistan objects to India’s Chenab-Beas river-link proposal, arguing it violates the Indus Waters Treaty—an issue with potential knock-on effects for agriculture. Energy-Agri Diplomacy: India and Venezuela are expanding talks on energy and also mention agriculture cooperation, with an Indian technical team set to visit Venezuela. China-ASEAN Ag Exports: Cambodia and China signed deals to ease SPS steps for beef and dried longans into China.

Flex-fuel push for rural energy security: Maruti Suzuki launched India’s first flex-fuel passenger car, the Wagon R, compatible with ethanol blends from E20 to E100 (E85 certified), aiming to cut crude imports and support farmers and ethanol producers; the government also plans 50–100 ethanol stations in Delhi-NCR, Pune, Mumbai and Nagpur, scaling to 500 by end-2026 and 5,000 by end-2027. Monsoon watch for farm output: IMD declared the southwest monsoon onset over Kerala on June 4 (three days late), with heavy to very heavy rain expected in Kerala and isolated heavy showers in parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka; IMD also warned of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across India’s Northeast over the next week. Climate stress planning in Telangana: Telangana’s agriculture minister urged farmers to prepare for possible drought linked to El Niño, promoting drought-resistant and short-duration crops, lift irrigation/borewell strategies, and tighter residue burning controls. Solar affordability for households and farm income: Haryana announced rooftop solar for consumers up to 1 kW without bank loans or guarantees, targeting nearly zero power bills and enabling farmers to earn via solar on vacant land. China-Africa trade opening with agri impact: China’s zero-tariff policy now covers all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties, boosting competitiveness for agricultural exporters like South Africa. Environmental enforcement in mining-linked river damage: Reports say Chinese nationals abandoned illegal Haroni River mining operations in Mozambique after scrutiny and investigations, leaving behind cleared sites and fencing. Seaweed livelihoods in Tamil Nadu: ICAR-CMFRI’s Mandapam centre held International Seaweed Day interactions with 584 farmers/collectors to discuss farming and collection challenges. Food value agenda: A South Asia focus piece argues that processing and reducing food loss are key to turning farm output into jobs, incomes, and better nutrition.

Monsoon Watch: India’s southwest monsoon is set to hit Kerala on June 4, with heavy rain and strong winds expected—crucial for farm output and reservoir replenishment. Crop Protection Tech: Drone spraying is helping wheat farmers in northwest China apply pesticides faster and more evenly across mountainous terrain. Feed Security Breakthrough: Chinese scientists say they’ve developed high-protein maize genes that could cut reliance on imported soybean meal for livestock feed. Soil & Carbon Research: A China field study finds biochar’s carbon-storage benefits are mostly in topsoil, with deeper layers showing reduced microbial carbon buildup. Circular Bioenergy: India’s Organic Recycling Systems starts a pilot to gasify hard biomass residues (like nut shells) to produce syngas and biochar. Farm Policy: India’s Centre relaxed onion procurement quality norms for Nashik farmers after low purchase volumes and high rejections. Sustainable Farming Campaign: India’s “Khet Bachao Abhiyan” launched in Nagaland to push soil testing, vermicompost, and natural farming practices. Green Agri Innovation: Japan researchers turn discarded udon noodles into biodegradable “paper” using microbes. Regional Ag Modernization: China unveiled a 2026-30 plan to accelerate agricultural and rural modernization, targeting food security and tech-driven upgrades.