WOOLWORTHS has been announced as a major partner in the National Farmers Federation's agriculture blueprint.
NFF President Jock Laurie said the partnership would enable the input of consumers but the deal has received mixed feedback from the farming community.
Concerns have been raised that the partnership will see Woolworths try and "take over'' the blueprint.
Ausbuy chief executive Lynne Wilkinson said she was worried the blueprint would be about "big boys to big boys''.
"I think it would be much better for the Woolworths business to invest in Australian farmers than it is to give opportunity to imports coming in in direct opposition to our own farmers in the same growing season,'' Ms Wilkinson said.
"They've really got to put their money but also their buying power in the interests of Australian farmers otherwise it simply becomes a a PR exercise.
"The reality check will be when they're actually supporting Australian farmers instead of bringing imported products in in direct competition with local farmers.
"That's going the big test of whether they're serious about being the fresh food people.''
Mr Laurie said the Woolworths deal would ensure the Blueprint accurately captures the issues, challenges, opportunities and risks facing the entire agricultural supply chain in the long term from farm to fork.
"The Blueprint aims to gain the input of all with an interest in, or involvement with, Australian agriculture and the supply chain: farmers, transporters, processors, retailers and the communities and services that rely on them,'' he said.
"The Blueprint is about coming together as an industry to set the future direction for the farming sector.
"Having Woolworths on board will ensure that what consumers believe are the key issues for Australia's food producers are captured in the Blueprint.''
Woolworths director Tjeerd Jegen said its customers relied on a strong and prosperous agriculture and it's relationship with farmers was "critical''.
"Woolworths top priorities in this area are productivity, promoting a new generation of farmers and meeting our customers needs.''.
The blueprint was designed to give farmers an opportunity to have their say on issues facing the agriculture industry and once developed will map out where to go into the future as an industry.
