AGRICULTURE NEWS UPDATES IN ASIA – January 2026

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Global/Regional News

ISAAA, Inc. and DA Biotech Program Launch the Biotech Media Center

The Biotech Media Center brings official news releases, publications, and multimedia resources together in one accessible platform—making credible information easier to find, verify, and use. Read more…

ISAAA, Inc. Announces New Appointments to Boost the Global Knowledge Center on Biotechnology

ISAAA, Inc. is proud to announce the new appointments of two long-serving staff members: Ms. Kristine Grace N. Tome as the Manager of the Global Knowledge Center on Biotechnology (GKC) and Ms. Clement Dionglay as Program Officer II. Read more…

Country News

Australia/New Zealand

Africa–Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture officially launched in Nairobi

After over a year of preparatory work, the new Africa–Australia Partnership was officially launched in Nairobi during key stakeholder workshops. Read more…

Genetically modified purple tomato approved in Australia

These tomato lines have now received all necessary approvals for commercial sale in Australia. The GM Purple Tomato has been modified to contain the Del and Ros1-N genes from the snapdragon plant (Antirrhinum majus), which enable it to produce natural blue pigments (anthocyanins) as it ripens, resulting in both purple skin and flesh. Read more…

Bangladesh

Govt drafts 25-year plan for agriculture

The interim government has set out to formulate the Agriculture Outlook 2050, a comprehensive long-term strategic framework designed to guide agricultural transformation over the next 25 years. Read more…

Russia gifts 30,000 tonnes of fertiliser to Bangladesh

Russia has handed over 30,000 tonnes of muriate of potash (MOP) fertiliser to Bangladesh as a gift under the framework of the World Food Programme (WFP). Read more…

DAE distributes seeds, fertilisers as incentives to 70,050 farmers in Khulna

Each of the farmers is getting the incentives for 11 types of agriculture crops against one bigha (33 shatak) land to increase Rabi Crops production in the current season. Read more…

China

Harvesting AI

China harnessing AI tech to boost seed development and crop yields, with a project in Hainan at forefront of efforts. Read more…

Agri sector reaps fruit of tech advances

China’s push for agricultural modernization reached a new milestone last year, with scientific and technological advancements contributing more than 64 percent to the sector’s growth, officials said. Read more…

Syngenta’s crop protection formulation new production base in China brought on stream, with kickoff of construction of Shanghai Innovation Centerv

The new plant is focused on crop protection engineering and manufacturing, mass product supply, green and intelligent production of high-end crop protection formulations… Read more…

China to weigh reasonable demands by Canada regarding canola seeds in wake of Carney’s visit

Observers noted that these developments indicate a fresh starting point for deepening China-Canada trade and economic cooperation, which is not only beneficial for both sides but also boosts the stability and growth of the global economy. Read more…

India

ICRISAT Signs MoU with Odisha Government to Strengthen Climate-Resilient Agriculture

Agreement signed at Krushi Odisha 2026 under National Drought Mitigation Programme to support sustainable farming. Read more…

Why maize deserves centre stage in India’s agricultural roadmap

Policymakers and industry stakeholders say it is time to unlock maize’s untapped potential, calling for better crop management and a stronger enabling ecosystem to support its growth. Read more…

Agriculture scientists and innovative farmers get Padma Shri boost for their pioneering efforts | India News

Prominent agriculture scientist Ashok Kumar Singh, who developed over 25 rice varieties, especially Basmati, and co-developed India’s first genome-edited rice… were among nine persons associated with the farm and allied sector selected for this year’s Padma Shri award. Read more…

From lab to nation: How CSIR powered India’s scientific breakthroughs in 2025

CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) developed the world’s first genetically modified cotton fully resistant to pink bollworm, a pest responsible for heavy crop losses. Read more…

Draft Seed Bill 2025 proposes One Nation One Licence to modernize Indian agriculture sector

This proposed legislation seeks to replace the six-decade-old Seeds Act of 1966, signaling a major shift towards a modern, technology-driven farming ecosystem that could significantly benefit Odisha cultivators and farmers across the nation. Read more…

Syngenta to Address Global Agricultural Challenges at WEF, Championing AI to Empower Farmers and Create Open Technology Access

Syngenta champions “Agricultural Intelligence” at World Economic Forum, showcasing Cropwise AI solutions that put cutting-edge tools in the hands of all farmers, especially smallholders. Read more…

Indonesia

No Rice or Sugar Imports in 2026 as Food Stocks Remain Ample: Bapanas

Indonesia will not import strategic staple foods in 2026 as carryover stocks from this year remain strong enough to meet national demand. Read more…

Prabowo Declares End to Rice Imports as Self-Sufficiency Reached

President Prabowo Subianto declared that Indonesia has achieved rice self-sufficiency after decades of imports. Read more…

Norway and Indonesia sign new partnership declaration

Norway and Indonesia have signed a joint declaration on a “Partnership for a Prosperous and Sustainable Future,”. Read more…

Japan

Japan’s farm minister raises concerns over EU packaging rules

Agriculture minister Norikazu Suzuki expressed concerns about new regulations on packaging to be introduced by the European Union. Read more…

Farm minister Suzuki visits Paris to promote rice exports

Agriculture minister Norikazu Suzuki has inspected onigiri rice ball and Japanese food shops, as well as local supermarkets, in Paris as he hopes to expand Japanese rice exports. Read more…

Laos

Cambodia-Laos Land Corridor Opened for Agricultural Exports to China; Thailand Border Remains Shut

Cambodia and Laos signed an agreement for the latter to allow Cambodian goods heading for the Chinese market to transit through its border, circumventing the closed Thai-Cambodia border. Read more…

Malaysia

USDA Deputy Secretary of International Trade & Agricultural Affairs pays courtesy call on Minister of Agriculture

“Discussions focused on the potential for expanding bilateral agricultural trade as well as opportunities for technical cooperation and investment to increase the productivity of the agricultural sector.” Read more…

Fiji explores agricultural trade and innovation with Malaysia

Fiji is looking to strengthen its agricultural trade and innovation through closer cooperation with Malaysia. Read more…

Minister: M’sia not bowing to foreign influence over plant seeds law

Agriculture and Food Security Minister said that the final decision on changes to a law regulating plant seeds will be made by Putrajaya, stressing that the government will not bow to foreign pressure. Read more…

Pakistan

Pakistan, Turkey agree to boost rice trade

Both countries have agreed to increase bilateral rice trade, focusing on competitive pricing, higher export volumes, and stronger business linkages. Read more…

Pakistan seeks Australian expertise to enhance output of agriculture, livestock sectors

During the meeting, both sides held detailed discussions on improving agricultural and livestock yields, market access issues, biosecurity concerns, and expanding technical collaboration. Read more…

Sindh govt plans dedicated floricultural farms to diversify agriculture

The Sindh government is working on a project to establish dedicated floricultural farms across the province in an effort to diversify agriculture and unlock new income opportunities for farmers. Read more…

Pakistan, Indonesia move to deepen trade ties with focus on rice, agriculture, investment

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a detailed meeting with the Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan, Chandra Warsenanto Sukotjo, on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to review and advance bilateral trade, investment, and sector-specific cooperation between Pakistan and Indonesia. Read more…

Pakistan can achieve fast-track transformation in agriculture through Chinese partnership: PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan, can transform its agri-sector not in years, but in months by adopting modern technologies, improving productivity and strengthening cooperation with China. Read more…

Philippines

Philippines agri output up 0.5% in fourth quarter of 2025

Philippine agriculture and fisheries production grew 2.6 percent in 2024 to P1.77 trillion, led by positive performance in the crops and poultry sectors despite a slowdown in the final months of the year. Read more…

FPA: Ban on online sale of fertilizers, pesticides in effect

The Philippine Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) reiterated over the weekend that the online selling and trading of fertilizers and pesticides is not authorized by law, citing a new memorandum aimed at protecting public safety and preventing consumer fraud. Read more…

IRRI, PCC ink deal to modernize rice industry oversight

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is joining forces with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to promote fair competition and sustainable development in the rice sector. Read more…

DA rules out sugar imports for 2026 amid rising local output

The Department of Agriculture (DA) aims to boost domestic farm output this year as it rules out any sugar imports for the remainder of 2026, signaling confidence in local production and supply conditions. Read more…

Singapore

Singapore to try growing crops across border to cut costs

Vincent Wei led fellow Singaporean farmers around an empty Malaysian plot, laying out plans for a greenhouse and rows of leafy vegetables. Read more…

South Korea

Herbicide-Resistant GMO Grass Rejected After 17-Year Review

Prolonged reviews, ministry conflicts, and public opposition hinder domestic GMO commercialization, urging regulatory reforms. Read more…

Agriculture minister discusses food security cooperation, food exports with UAE

Aside from discussing Halal Food Certification, they also discussed applying Korea’s smart farming technologies in the UAE and boosting the countries’ joint response to a potential food security crisis that can be caused by climate change. Read more…

Gov’t to spend 2.4 tln won on AI transformation in public sector

The government plans to spend up to 2.4 trillion won (US$1.67 billion) this year to promote artificial intelligence (AI) transformation across public sectors ranging from defense to agriculture. Read more…

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka tightens organic agriculture rules with revised national standard

Sri Lanka has strengthened its regulatory framework for organic agriculture with the revision of its national standard, a move aimed at curbing misleading organic claims, improving traceability and aligning local production with international market requirements. Read more…

Taiwan

Cabinet approves draft amendments to raise elderly farmers’ welfare allowance

The Executive Yuan approved proposed amendments to the Provisional Act Governing the Welfare Allowance for Elderly Farmers, with the aim of better caring for farmers in later life. Read more…

Japan drives rise in rice export value

Taiwanese rice exports dropped 9.4 percent in terms of volume last year, but rose 2.5 percent in value due to higher prices in Japan, Australia and Canada. Read more…

Pesticide screening capacity to grow: ministry

More than 80,000 potential pesticide residue cases were tested via rapid screening, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Agriculture and Food Agency said, adding that its annual screening capacity would be boosted to 50,000 cases this year. Read more…

Institute develops resilient banana type

The Taiwan Banana Research Institute has developed a Panama disease-resistant banana variety, Tai-Chiao No. 9 (TC9), which is expected to change the global banana supply landscape. Read more…

Thailand

Suphajee seeks faster ratification of Thailand–EFTA FTA

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun met Switzerland’s SECO chief Helene Budliger Artieda at the WEF in Davos to discuss accelerating ratification of the Thailand–EFTA FTA, with Thailand aiming to send the deal to Parliament after the Feb 8 election and target completion in Q4, ahead of a planned entry into force on Jan 1, 2027. Read more…

Thailand–China 100,000-tonne rice deal delayed amid approval hurdles

The deal is stalled because it requires approval from the Thai Cabinet and a legal review by the Office of the Council of State. Read more…

Vietnam

Conditions under which genetically modified organisms are used as food and animal feed.

The Government has issued Decree No. 43/2026/ND-CP amending and supplementing a number of articles of decrees in the field of nature conservation and biodiversity. Read more…

Sustainable straw management is a key link in fulfilling the Net Zero commitment

Sustainable straw management is a crucial link for Vietnamese agriculture to achieve its Net Zero commitment, opening up new economic opportunities for millions of rice-farming households. Read more…

Resolution 57: Vinh Long makes clear shift in green agriculture development

Resolution 57-NQ/TW has opened up new space and momentum for Vinh Long’s agriculture to transform towards modernity, sustainability and climate resilience. Read more…

Low-emission rice seen as pathway to strengthen Vietnamese rice brand

Expanding low-emission rice production could help Vietnam meet its climate commitments while strengthening the global competitiveness and branding of its rice exports, industry experts said at a workshop in Hanoi on January 23. Read more…

Plant Science Updates

Genetically modified purple tomato approved in Australia

These tomato lines have now received all necessary approvals for commercial sale in Australia. The GM Purple Tomato has been modified to contain the Del and Ros1-N genes from the snapdragon plant (Antirrhinum majus), which enable it to produce natural blue pigments (anthocyanins) as it ripens, resulting in both purple skin and flesh. Read more…

Institute develops resilient banana type

The Taiwan Banana Research Institute has developed a Panama disease-resistant banana variety, Tai-Chiao No. 9 (TC9), which is expected to change the global banana supply landscape. Read more…

Demeter meets CRISPR: Self-replicating rice takes on the seed economy

A research team at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences has produced the world’s first clone-hybrid rice: plants that deliver elite hybrid yields while reproducing through clonal seeds. The harvest copies itself. Generation after generation. Read more…

SYN-A, a natural olive-derived compound, controls insecticide-resistant cabbage stem flea beetle

Scientists at Rothamsted Research and ApresLabs Ltd have demonstrated that SYN-A, a naturally derived synergist extracted from olive oil, can restore the effectiveness of pyrethroid insecticides against CSFB, the most devastating autumn pest of oilseed rape. Read more…

Chinese “space roses” sprout via historic suborbital mission

In a novel fusion of spaceflight and agriculture, a batch of precious rose seeds from Henan Province in central China has returned from a journey to the edge of space, marking a fresh advance in the country’s space breeding program. Read more…

Knowledge Shapes Views of Gen Z Consumers on GM Foods

A study conducted by researchers from FPT University examines how knowledge affects the perception and purchasing decisions of Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) on genetically modified (GM) foods. Read more…

Speed Breeding Of Mustard Being Undertaken To Develop New Varieties

The technique helps develop new varieties in four to five years instead of the earlier 10 to 12 years. Read more…

New chemical method makes it easier to select desirable traits in crops

Whitehead Institute Member Mary Gehring and colleagues offer a new method for generating large-scale genetic changes without irradiation. They developed the approach by exposing germinating seeds to etoposide, a chemotherapy drug, during early growth. Read more…


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