Western Sydney University recently launched the first ‘AgriMaitri’ roundtable, an initiative designed to strengthen agribusiness ties between India and Australia. Hosted at the Australian High Commission, the inaugural meeting aimed to create a collaborative platform where stakeholders from both countries could develop practical and scalable solutions for the agricultural sector.
Dr Vanita Yadav, who leads the project, described the roundtable as a key milestone in fostering cooperation across diverse groups to address agribusiness challenges. The event brought together 58 delegates, including officials from government agencies, industry leaders, AgTech companies, research institutions, academia, and trade organisations, creating opportunities for meaningful exchange and joint problem-solving.
AgriMaitri is driven by a multidisciplinary team of experts from India and Australia, working alongside partner institutions in both countries. The initiative receives support from the Maitri Research Grants, overseen by the Centre for Australia-India Relations under the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Dr Yadav explained that the Sanskrit word ‘Maitri,’ meaning friendship, embodies the collaborative philosophy guiding the programme.
The initiative seeks to leverage the complementary strengths of India and Australia in agribusiness. By encouraging cooperation among policymakers, industry experts, farmers, and researchers, AgriMaitri aims to identify opportunities, address sectoral challenges, and create mutually beneficial outcomes.
Professor Basant Maheshwari highlighted that the programme goes beyond discussions, focusing on transforming ideas into actionable projects that deliver both economic and social benefits. The roundtable series is a strategic effort to deepen bilateral collaboration in agribusiness, with an emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and shared growth.
As the AgriMaitri initiative advances, it is expected to set a benchmark for India-Australia collaboration in agriculture, combining technological expertise, research insights, and policy guidance to drive meaningful results for stakeholders in both countries.
