Farmers first: China aims to improve rural livelihoods in new five-year plan
China’s 15th Five-Year Plan puts farmer livelihoods at the core of rural modernisation, linking income growth to food security, economic resilience and social stability
Policy & regulation
‘Ensure reasonable profits’: Philippines moves to shield farmer earnings as impact of El Niño looms
The Philippine government is stepping in early to safeguard farmer incomes by setting pre-harvest rice buying prices as drought risks and rising input costs threaten planting decisions
Overseas trade push: Japan reframes aquaculture as an export engine to offset shrinking domestic demand
Japan is positioning aquaculture as an export-led growth industry to counter a decline in domestic fish consumption
Safeguarding the future: India launches nationwide campaign to improve soil health and curb input misuse
India rolls out nationwide campaign this month, which aims to support farmers in improving soil health through sustainable farming practices
Food system ‘couldn’t be safer,’ Rollins declares in fight against New World screwworm
State and federal officials and ranchers are working to stop the spread of the New World screwworm.
Country profile
Switzerland’s agtech paradox: world‑class innovation, limited scale
A hotbed of scientific talent and start-up creation, Switzerland’s agtech sector punches above its weight in early innovation. But structural, cultural and financial barriers are holding back the emergence of global giants
First New World screwworm case in 60 years confirmed in Texas
The smallest U.S. herd in 75 years meets a pest problem years in the making
Coordinating support: Philippines launches inter-agency plan to boost farm co-ops and food security
The Philippine government has launched a new inter-agency framework to strengthen agricultural cooperatives to support smallholder farmers and fisherfolk.
Reviving US’ cotton industry: Can USDA’s ‘Plant Not Plastic’ initiative boost demand?
Can the U.S. reclaim the number one cotton exporter spot from Brazil?
‘Freedom to choose’: Australia eyes repair reforms to cut costs ag machinery maintenance
The Australian government is looking to expand right to repair rules to agriculture, aiming to open repair markets, boost competition and reduce costs for farmers.
USDA improves New World screwworm, pest defense with Texas research lab
The USDA adds another arrow to its New World screwworm response quiver
Paraquat ban: Vermont passes law as states debate what’s next for controversial herbicide
Vermont’s paraquat ban might be the first domino of many to fall in restricting the use of the herbicide in the U.S.
‘Trump speed,’ How the U.S. government is trying to reduce fertilizer prices
The White House and Congress are working together on a number of efforts to boost domestic production of fertilizers as farmers struggle to keep up with higher input costs
‘We’re feeding Silicon Valley’: UK looks to Dutch model to fix agri-tech scale gap
Parliament hears stark warnings from SMEs on funding, fragmentation and “missing middle” as MP committee eyes Netherlands trip for solutions
Redefining ‘sustainable’: Are climate goals undermining animal welfare in UK livestock?
As emissions targets reshape breeding priorities, UK advisers warn that a narrow focus on efficiency risks sidelining animal health and resilience
‘We’re backing Australian farmers’: Australia secures 90,000 tonnes of urea to shield farms from fertiliser shortages
Australia has secured roughly 90,000 tonnes of urea to support farmers and stabilise fertiliser supply as the government moves to protect the agriculture sector from disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
Bayer bets on ‘stronger than ever’ policy tailwinds to scale camelina for biofuels
Bayer says a step-change in global regulatory support for low-carbon fuels is creating the conditions needed to scale next-generation oilseed crops like camelina, while insisting its strategy will not come at the expense of food production
Collaboration refresh: Philippines, Japan seek deeper agriculture partnership ahead of presidential visit
The Philippines and Japan lay the groundwork to expand their agricultural partnership to fisheries and technology ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit later this month.
Glyphosate under pressure: campaigners’ push for restrictions likely to accelerate search for alternatives
As UK campaigners call for a ban on glyphosate as a pre-harvest desiccant, pressure is mounting on regulators – and on the industry – to find viable alternatives. Yet while options exist, none currently match glyphosate’s unique combination of...
EU opens door to €50,000 emergency support for farmers hit by Iran war cost spikes
Brussels has loosened state‑aid rules to help farmers and transport operators cope with soaring fuel and fertiliser prices linked to the conflict involving Iran, but payments will depend on national governments acting
Crisis response: ASEAN ag ministers call for stronger regional coordination amid global uncertainty
ASEAN agriculture ministers have called for stronger regional coordination to protect food security and agricultural trade amid persistent global shocks straining the region’s food systems.
World Agri-Tech São Paulo 2026
Why 2026 will be a defining year for Brazilian agriculture
2026 will be a defining year for Brazilian agriculture – influenced by presidential politics, global events, and technological advancements
No meaningful progress without women: Gender equality a must for food security and resilience – FAO
Empowering women farmers is essential to improving food security climate resilience and rural livelihoods across the region, says the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Farm Bill heads to Senate without pesticide provision, following bipartisan backlash
Highlights from the House-passed Farm Bill include removal of controversial language around pesticide labeling and the creation of an Office of Biotechnology Policy
High costs, weak markets: Middle East conflict will have long-term impact on Asia’s food supply
Rising input costs and shrinking export markets are backing Asian farmers into a corner and locking in lasting consequences on the region’s next harvest.
Farmer profile
‘I’m going to work too,’ How this Indiana farmer navigates traffic, trash, tight margins
Lake County Farm Bureau President discusses the large and small issues impacting Indiana farmers
Bayer promises ‘first‑to‑the‑farm’ innovation as shareholders push back
Bayer’s 2026 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting laid bare investor patience wearing thin over the Monsanto acquisition and US glyphosate litigation, even as CEO Bill Anderson pointed to early signs of operational progress. For agriculture, the message was...
USDA signs $300m agreement with Palantir to boost farm security with AI
AI company Palantir makes further in-roads in the agriculture sector and continues its works with the USDA
UK biosolutions eye growth as resource insecurity sharpens
New data from BIA BioSolutions shows UK biosolutions companies have raised £1.46bn in equity since 2018, underlining the sector’s growing importance as policymakers and industry look for domestic, biology‑based solutions to insulate the economy from...
Women as ‘key economic actors’: South Korea’s latest five-year plan reinforces women’s role in agriculture
Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) is prioritising entrepreneurship, modern equipment and digital training to help female farmers.
Farmers can’t afford fertilizers, contemplate skipping springtime application
Farmers are feeling the pinch from higher fertilizer prices, but the impact is not uniform across the U.S.
Reality check: ASEAN leaders want stronger ag finance systems as climate risks intensify
ASEAN leaders call for stronger agricultural financial systems that can help the region’s smallholders withstand the losses from escalating climate pressures.
Support for specialty crop growers: USDA to provide over $275m in grant funding
Specialty crop growers will receive $275 million in grant funding on top of $1 billion in support, but some stakeholders worry that won’t be enough to address current volatility
Korea moves to stabilise farm input supply amid Middle East conflict ahead of spring season
South Korea’s agriculture ministry is intensifying efforts to stabilise the supply and pricing of key agricultural inputs in response to disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
CRISPR wheat cuts carcinogen risk without yield loss, strengthening case for precision gene editing
Ultra‑low asparagine wheat developed by Rothamsted Research shows how precision gene editing can help food producers meet tightening safety regulations, without sacrificing productivity, marking a significant step forward for safer, more compliant food...
USDA leans into agtech innovation with National Proving Grounds Network
The U.S. government is supporting agriculture technology with a program to test products and services with the goal of de-risking farmer adoption of agtech
Iran war’s long tail: Why crop protection prices could mirror fertilizer shocks
The U.S. might have been spared the blunt of high fertilizer prices, but Australia, India, and Brazil might not be so lucky
USDA, DOI help American ranchers better access grazing lands with MOU
The USDA and DOI are working to streamline the process ranchers use to apply for public grazing lands, while expanding communication channels and data access
Is price transparency a first step in addressing fertilizer volatility?
A bipartisan piece of legislation wants to bring more transparency to the fertilizer market, amid rising prices due to the Iran war
Trump announces biofuel, DEF changes at White House event attended by John Deere, AGCO, Farm Bureau
President Donald Trump revealed changes to biofuel blending and diesel exhaust fluid system sensor requirements at the Great American Agriculture Celebration — all designed to help farmers save money
USDA announces NIFA grants to protect ag production from pests, diseases
Grants will help researchers develop solutions to combat new and re-emerging pest problems that pose a risk to food security
AI for all: South Korea unveils national plan to democratise AI access down to every farmer
South Korea has unveiled national strategy to ensure that artificial intelligence becomes accessible to every farmer as part of a wider push to expand AI across the sector.
Where’s the data? Philippine Senate pushes investigation into failure to track commercial fishing
The Philippine Senate is grilling the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for alleged failures in using vessel monitoring data to track commercial fishing, leaving municipal waters exposed to illegal incursions.
Vietnam pushes ag sector towards high-value production, sustainability to maintain export momentum
Vietnam’s ag ministry is rolling out a series of measures to sustain its strong export growth by shifting the sector toward higher-value production, greater sustainability and stronger alignment with increasingly strict global market standards.
Iran war: Middle East conflict kicks up more uncertainty for 2026 growing season
All eyes are on the Strait of Hormuz, as an ongoing war in the Middle East is putting the agriculture supply chain on edge, with fertiliser supply concerns rising
USDA bolsters New World screwworm readiness with Texas facility contract
The New World Screwworm has yet been spotted in the U.S., but the government is working to push the pest further south
South Korea reports limited agri‑food disruption from Middle East crisis
South Korea says agri‑food exports and key inputs remain largely unaffected by Middle East unrest but has intensified daily monitoring to prepare for potential long‑term risks.
Confident but cautious: NZ dairy sector set for major reforms on path to responsible growth
New Zealand’s dairy sector is bracing for sweeping reforms in gene technology, methane targets and resource management that will shape its journey towards responsible growth, says Dairy NZ.
‘Farmers worse off’: NZ industry pushes back on freshwater farm plan requirements
The head of industry body Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says the current draft of the Natural Environment Bill (NEB) could leave farmers in a less favourable position.
Can new incentives accelerate precision agriculture adoption in the UK?
The UK’s flagship farm‑payment scheme has been overhauled into a more streamlined, delivery‑focused model. But will SFI26’s push toward measurable, on‑farm action transform precision agriculture into a practical necessity for British farmers?