Thilak Mallawaarachchi

As an agricultural and resource economist, Thilak Mallawaarachchi focuses on building resilient and sustainable food, agricultural and natural resource systems under climate, market and policy uncertainty. His work combines economics, public policy and systems thinking to improve decision-making across agriculture, agribusiness, water and environmental management.

With over 35 years of international experience across Australia, Asia and Africa, Thilak has contributed to research and policy development on climate adaptation, agricultural productivity, water allocation, food systems, natural resource management and rural development. He has worked with governments, industry and international development agencies to address challenges affecting farmers, communities and ecosystems.

Current multidisciplinary research focuses on economic modelling and policy analysis to inform institutional arrangements in agriculture, food systems and land management, including:

• Agricultural economics and rural development • Risk management and resilience • Industrial organisation and entrepreneurship • Collective decision-making and cooperation • Contract theory and its applications • Environmental and resource economics

His work has informed major Australian policy initiatives, including climate adaptation strategies, Murray-Darling Basin water reform and national food policy, while supporting agricultural development programs across the Asia-Pacific and Africa aimed at improving agricultural productivity, reducing food loss and waste, and enhancing market access.