Western Sydney University (WSU) hosted the inaugural AgriMaitri India Roundtable at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi on 16 March 2026, thus marking a moment in reimagining Indo‑Australian agribusiness collaboration.
Dr Vanita Yadav, Project Lead for AgriMaitri, said the event was “an important first step in bringing together diverse stakeholders from both countries to co-design actionable solutions for the agribusiness sector.”
The roundtable convened 58 delegates representing government, industry, AgTech, research institutions, academia, chambers of commerce, and trade bodies—creating a dynamic forum for dialogue between Australian and Indian experts.
AgriMaitri is led by a transdisciplinary team including Dr Vanita Yadav, Prof. Nicky Morrison, Prof. Basant Maheshwari, Prof. David Tissue, A/Prof Maria Estela Varua, and Prof. Brajesh Singh, alongside partner organisations in India and Australia.
The project is supported by the Maitri Research Grants through the Centre for Australia-India Relations under the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“‘Maitri’ means friendship in Sanskrit, and this spirit guides our work in AgriMaitri,” Dr Yadav explained.
“By leveraging Australia’s advanced agriscience and premium exports alongside India’s scale, digital agriculture expertise, and growing markets, we aim to create a Shared Value Roadmap for both countries.”
The initiative seeks to address the disconnect between India and Australia’s complementary strengths in agribusiness. AgriMaitri brings together academia, industry, policymakers, farmers, and trade bodies to collaboratively unpack challenges and identify cross-border opportunities that generate shared value.
Prof Basant Maheshwari added,
“This roundtable is not just about discussion—it’s about action. By translating complementary capabilities into tangible projects, AgriMaitri can unlock real economic and social impact for both nations.”
The launch of AgriMaitri India Roundtables represents a strategic step in strengthening the Australia–India agribusiness partnership, with a focus on co-designed solutions that deliver mutual benefits, innovation, and sustainable growth across the sector.
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