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 farmers.
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 as an industry.
Concerns have been raised that the partnership will see Woolworths try to "take over" the blueprint.
Ausbuy chief executive Lynne Wilkinson said she was worried the blueprint would be about "big boys to big boys".
"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," Ms Wilkinson said.
"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 captured the issues, challenges, opportunities and risks facing the agricultural supply chain in the long term from farm to fork.
Woolworths director Tjeerd Jegen said its relationship with farmers was "critical".
"Woolworths' top priorities in this area are productivity, promoting a new generation of farmers and meeting our customers needs," Mr Jegen said.
