Rikin Gandhi
USA | Agricultural Extension
Rikin Gandhi, CEO of Digital Green, has revolutionized agricultural extension through digital technology, improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. By integrating AI, video-based learning and community participation, he has pioneered cost-effective systems that respect farmers’ agency while delivering critical information at scale. His work has demonstrably increased farmer productivity by 30%, doubled adoption rates of improved practices, and reduced extension costs from $35 to $3.50 per farmer. He champions a “farmer-led” approach, ensuring solutions are co-created with agricultural communities rather than imposed. Through relentless innovation and iteration, he has remained committed to scalable, cost-effective, digital solutions that truly serve farmers. Rikin embodies the combination of technological brilliance, cultural sensitivity and unwavering dedication needed to transform agricultural extension and put smallholder farmers at the heart of our global food system.