Pest & Crop Response: Philippines sugar stakeholders agreed to form a national ad hoc committee to tackle the worsening Red Striped Soft Shell Insect (RSSI), aiming for faster detection, coordinated field action, and stronger accountability. Disaster Relief: The Philippines’ agriculture department released P177.67M in seeds, rice supplies, crop insurance payouts, and zero-interest recovery loans for farmers and fisherfolk hit by monsoon rains and typhoons Luis and Maymay. Livestock Trade Pressure: In North Cotabato, hog and meat vendors say imported pork is undercutting local producers, with claims of 45,000 kilos entering monthly and forcing vendors to share supply. Regional Growth Strategy: Uttar Pradesh is pushing a decentralised, polycentric development model, with economic survey data showing rapid GSDP growth and rising per-capita income. Fish Imports Despite Big Output: Bangladesh, a top fish producer, still imports large volumes to meet gaps in consumer preferences and processing demand, with frozen imports dominating. Trade & Tariffs: Canada braces for 50% U.S. tariffs on about $20B of goods as talks drag on, while rail grain flows show some softening. Hemp Policy: A Virginia federal judge refused to block a new THC cap on hemp products, ending a bid by hemp businesses to stop enforcement. Agri-Tech & Capacity: University of Minnesota expanded biomanufacturing capacity to speed agricultural and veterinary innovations. Export Disruption: Russia’s grain export pipeline is nearly halted after strikes on sea ports, threatening buyers and raising harvest-sale risks. Industry Organization: Philippines ube farmers and processors formed a national association to unify the sector and push export growth.