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Chandigarh:In a significant boost to India–Australia scientific cooperation, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar and the University of Western Sydney have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and work plan to establish a Joint Centre of Excellence for Smart Agriculture in Noida. The agreement was formalised in the presence of Australian Education Minister Jason Clare and IIT Ropar Director Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, marking a major milestone in bilateral research collaboration.
Focus on AI, Climate-Resilient Farming and Agri-Supply Chains
The proposed centre will focus on AI-driven agriculture, automation, climate-resilient farming systems and next-generation agri-supply chains, combining IIT Ropar’s engineering and artificial intelligence strengths with UWS’s globally recognised expertise in plant–soil–climate research through its Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Rajeev Ahuja said the partnership goes beyond a routine academic agreement. “This collaboration is about building one of the world’s most advanced agricultural intelligence ecosystems. Our shared goal is to empower Indian farmers with tools that are accurate, affordable and accessible,” he said.
Australian Education Minister Jason Clare underlined the broader significance of the initiative, stating that India and Australia share a common vision for sustainable agriculture. “This joint centre will accelerate innovation, deepen academic ties and deliver real-world impact for millions of farmers,” he said.
Research, Innovation and Farmer-Centric Impact
The Joint Centre of Excellence will function as a hub for advanced research, industry collaboration and field-level technology deployment. Key focus areas include AI-powered soil and crop diagnostics, farm automation and robotics, climate-adaptive models, digital twins for agriculture, sustainable water and nutrient management, and advanced analytics for agri-supply chains.
The centre will also host joint PhD programmes, faculty exchanges and industry-supported innovation challenges, aimed at nurturing agri-tech startups and rural innovation clusters. Its Noida location places it close to industry partners, government agencies and innovation ecosystems, enabling faster translation of research into scalable, on-ground solutions.
Prof. Pushpendra P. Singh, Project Director of ANNAM.AI at IIT Ropar, said the collaboration addresses agriculture’s evolving needs. “Today’s farming demands precision, prediction and personalisation. When science meets the soil at scale, farmers benefit — and nations prosper,” he noted.
The MoU signed on December 9 reflects a shared commitment by India and Australia to tackle global challenges such as climate change, soil degradation and food security through technology-led, socially transformative agricultural solutions.
