Agriculture is entering a decisive phase where climate resilience, technology and supply-chain security are increasingly shaping the future of food production.
This edition brings together major developments from across global agriculture, including Morocco’s new drought-tolerant durum wheat varieties, CIMMYT’s climate-resilient maize innovations and IRRI’s efforts to protect traditional rice diversity in Sikkim.
Fertilizer markets are also seeing major investments, with CHS and OCP planning a new U.S. phosphate facility while Ammobia and Lummus Technology work to lower the cost of low-carbon ammonia.
Meanwhile, Europe is advancing carbon capture and waste-based biodiesel solutions, while Nichino Europe expands its biological crop-protection portfolio.
In India, Uttar Pradesh is scaling climate-smart agriculture and strengthening KVKs, while Bihar is expanding makhana cultivation with substantial government support.
Global fisheries governance is also gaining momentum with Indian scientist Dr. P. Krishnan taking a key international leadership role.
Together, these developments highlight a clear industry shift toward climate resilience, resource efficiency, innovation and stronger agricultural ecosystems.
Let’s start…
Drought-Ready Durum Wheat: Morocco Develops New Climate-Resilient Varieties
Morocco is developing new durum wheat varieties to help farmers cope with rising drought, heat and unpredictable weather. Through a seven-year collaboration between ICARDA, Morocco’s INRA, farmers and the Crop Trust, three promising varieties—Jawahir, Nachit and Sabil—have been developed.
Jawahir has shown strong performance under dry conditions, while Nachit is promising for oasis and irrigated farming systems. Jawahir and Nachit have been registered and are now undergoing seed multiplication, with Sabil nearing official release. The varieties are being tested in farmers’ fields across some of Morocco’s driest regions.
Farmers are evaluating traits including drought tolerance, yield, maturity, grain quality and straw production. The initiative highlights how participatory breeding and crop diversity can support more resilient wheat production under climate change.
CIMMYT Unveils Climate-Resilient Maize Innovations to Strengthen Asia’s Food Security
The 14th Asian Maize Conference in Chengdu, China, brought together more than 750 participants from 31 countries to advance climate-resilient maize production across Asia. CIMMYT and its partners highlighted innovations in maize breeding, genomics, seed systems, nutrition, pest and disease resistance, and climate resilience.
Experts stressed that extreme weather, resource constraints, pests, diseases and market volatility are creating growing risks for the region’s maize sector. The conference called for stronger cross-border collaboration and wider sharing of genetic resources, technologies and scientific knowledge.
China showcased precision technologies and high-yield maize systems, while scientists shared solutions for hill farming and sustainable production. AI, genomics and improved machinery were also highlighted as tools to accelerate the transition from research to farmers’ fields.
The conference emphasized that stronger partnerships between researchers, governments, industry and farmers will be essential to make Asian maize production more productive, sustainable and climate resilient.
Europe’s Biggest Carbon Capture Facility Opens at Yara’s Netherlands Plant
Europe’s largest industrial carbon capture facility has been officially inaugurated at Yara’s Sluiskil fertilizer plant in the Netherlands, marking a major step in industrial decarbonization. The facility can capture and liquefy up to 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually from ammonia production.
The captured CO₂ will be transported by ship to Norway and permanently stored around 2,600 metres beneath the seabed through Northern Lights. With the required framework conditions, the project is expected to capture and store approximately 12 million tonnes of CO₂ over 15 years.
The initiative creates Europe’s first complete cross-border carbon capture, transport and permanent storage value chain. It demonstrates how CCS can reduce emissions from energy-intensive industries while supporting industrial production, jobs and competitiveness.
The technology will also help Yara develop lower-carbon fertilizers, ammonia and maritime fuel solutions, supporting more sustainable agriculture and industrial value chains.
Ammobia and Lummus Technology Team Up to Make Low-Carbon Ammonia Cheaper and Faster
Ammobia and Lummus Technology have announced a partnership to commercialize modular, low-cost ammonia production technology for emerging low-carbon energy markets.
Ammobia’s “Haber-Bosch 2.0” process operates at lower temperatures and pressures than conventional ammonia synthesis, potentially reducing capital costs by up to 50% and overall production costs by 10–30%. The modular technology can be deployed in smaller units, expanded incrementally or retrofitted into existing facilities.
The partnership will initially focus on applications including low-carbon maritime fuel, power generation and energy storage and transport. Lummus will contribute its engineering, commercialization and project delivery expertise to help scale the technology globally.
The companies aim to make ammonia production more economical while supporting the growing demand for lower-carbon fuels and energy solutions. They plan to identify their first commercial projects in the coming months, with power generation and maritime fuel among the initial priorities.
CHS and OCP Plan $450M U.S. Fertilizer Push With New Phosphate Plant
CHS and OCP North America have proposed a joint venture to build a major phosphate fertilizer production facility in Waggaman, Louisiana, with an anticipated investment of up to $450 million. The plant is expected to produce more than 1 million metric tonnes of phosphate-based fertilizer annually, strengthening domestic supply for U.S. farmers.
The project could reduce America’s dependence on imported phosphate fertilizer by more than 48%. OCP Group will supply phosphoric acid, while CHS and OCP North America will distribute the finished products through their networks.
The facility is expected to create around 60 permanent jobs and 500 construction jobs, with a broader estimated impact of 924 direct and support jobs. The project also aligns with U.S. efforts to expand domestic fertilizer production and has applied for potential USDA FIELDS program funding.
Sunoil Wins Belgian Approval, Expanding Waste-Based Biodiesel Across Europe
Dutch biofuel producer Sunoil Biodiesel has secured regulatory approval to supply its waste-based biodiesel products in Belgium, opening another market in its European expansion. The approval covers three FAME biofuel technical dossiers listed by Belgium’s Federal Public Service Economy, valid through June 30, 2029.
Alongside its market expansion, Sunoil is demonstrating the use of 100% biodiesel through the inland barge Birjo II, operated by BFT Tanker Logistics. The vessel runs entirely on Sunoil’s B100 fuel and can reportedly reduce CO₂ emissions by around 90% compared with fossil diesel.
The project demonstrates how existing inland shipping vessels can transition to renewable fuels without replacing their engines. Sunoil is now positioning Belgium and its B100 shipping initiative as part of a broader strategy to expand certified waste-based biodiesel across European transport and energy markets.
Nichino Europe Acquires TEMAP Rights, Expanding Bio-Fungicide Portfolio Across EMEA
Nichino Europe has acquired all intellectual property rights for TEMAP from Belgian crop-protection innovator Bi-PA across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The choline pelargonate-based bio-fungicide offers broad-spectrum control of fungal diseases and has demonstrated preventive, eradicative and early curative activity.
TEMAP works by disrupting fungal cell membranes, affecting spores and mycelium while offering a low environmental impact and low resistance risk. Trials have shown efficacy across crops including rice, cereals, bananas, fruits and vegetables. Its classification under the FRAC BM 03 group could also make it a useful tool for resistance-management programmes.
The deal builds on several years of collaboration, with Nichino Europe having previously conducted trials of the technology. The companies will continue working together to accelerate TEMAP’s regulatory approval and availability to growers across the EMEA region.
Madagascar Rice Sector Raises Alarm as Imports Surge, Putting Local Farmers Under Pressure
Madagascar’s rice sector is raising concerns over a sharp rise in imports, which is putting pressure on domestic producers and weakening local market conditions. Rice imports increased from 262,002 tonnes in 2024 to more than 800,812 tonnes in 2025, with USDA projections indicating volumes could reach 850,000 tonnes in 2026.
The surge has contributed to declining local sales, while farmers continue to face high input costs and climate-related disruptions such as droughts and cyclones. Industry representatives say cheaper imported rice is depressing farmgate prices and making it harder for smallholders to compete.
In response, the government has initiated a WTO safeguard investigation and increased import tariffs on key rice categories to 20%. Madagascar is simultaneously pursuing programmes to improve domestic productivity, including the SNDRIII strategy and the newly launched PAPRIZ 4 programme.
The government’s challenge now is to balance affordable rice supplies for consumers with stronger protection and market opportunities for domestic farmers.
IRRI and Sikkim Join Forces to Protect Traditional Rice and Build Climate-Resilient Farming
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Government of Sikkim are exploring a collaboration to strengthen climate-smart rice farming, seed systems and scale-appropriate mechanization. The partnership will focus on conserving and promoting Sikkim’s more than 80 traditional rice landraces, many of which are at risk of being lost.
Efforts could include documenting and characterizing these varieties for grain quality, nutrition, climate resilience and local adaptation. The two sides also aim to improve seed production, quality assurance, storage and distribution while building capacity among farmers and seed producers.
With mountainous terrain, fragmented farms and labour shortages, Sikkim needs machinery designed specifically for its local farming conditions. The proposed collaboration could introduce suitable machinery and service-based models to reduce drudgery, lower cultivation costs and improve farm operations.
The initiative aims to combine rice science, local knowledge and practical technologies to make rice farming more profitable, resilient and sustainable in Sikkim.
World Bank and UP Government Back Climate-Smart Agriculture Push Under UP-AGREES
The World Bank and Uttar Pradesh Government are working through the UP-AGREES project to scale climate-smart and sustainable agricultural innovations across Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The initiative is promoting technologies including Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), farm mechanisation, AI-enabled advisory services, digital agriculture and resource-efficient farming practices.
Its digital component aims to bring market prices, weather forecasts, soil information, expert advice and private-sector solutions onto a farmer-friendly platform. The project, implemented through UPDASP with IRRI as a knowledge partner, is also supporting stronger FPOs, improved seed systems and better market linkages.
Field demonstrations showcased agricultural drones, climate-resilient technologies, crop-residue management and greenhouse-gas evidence generation. Kalanamak rice and rural entrepreneurship are also being explored for value addition and improved farmer incomes.
Going forward, UP-AGREES aims to integrate climate-smart agriculture, digital solutions, mechanisation and farmer institutions to build a more productive and climate-resilient agricultural ecosystem in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Indian Scientist Takes Global Fisheries Leadership Role, Strengthening India’s Voice
Dr. P. Krishnan, Director of the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation, has been elected Chair of the Regional Fishery Body Secretariats’ Network for 2026–28. The appointment gives India a stronger role in global fisheries governance, with the network connecting more than 50 regional fishery bodies worldwide.
His tenure will focus on priorities including small-scale fisheries, climate adaptation, ocean governance and implementation of the BBNJ Agreement. India is also progressing toward its National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries through a regional initiative involving Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Draft national plans are targeted for public consultation by December 2026, with formal launches expected in 2027. The initiative aims to strengthen policy support for small-scale fishers, including access rights, social protection, sustainability and climate resilience.
Dr. Krishnan’s global role could further position the Bay of Bengal’s collaborative approach as a model for strengthening small-scale fisheries governance worldwide.
