Smallholder farmers are the heroes that produce much of the world’s food, and yet they’re often the poorest and most malnourished among us. At Digital Green, we believe that rural communities can lift themselves out of poverty, and that technology can accelerate their ability to do so. But technology alone is not enough – and neither are we. That’s why we join forces with governments, private agencies and, most importantly, rural communities themselves to co-create solutions
that are of the community and for the community.
By integrating digital innovation with grassroots expertise, we are collectively changing the status quo. When farmers have the tools they need to learn from each other, they’re far more likely to integrate what they’ve learned into their farming practices – improving their own livelihoods, and those of others in their community, in a manner that’s nutrition-sensitive, climate-resilient and inclusive.
Digital Green began as a research project at Microsoft and became its first non-profit spin-off in 2008. We began by working with frontline extension workers, training them to produce and share videos featuring local farmers. This led to significant increases in information sharing, best-practice adoption rates and, above all, sustainable development at scale.
Rigorous data analysis and farmer feedback continually challenge our assumptions and identify new ways that technology coupled with local knowledge can push the needle on agriculture, food and nutrition security.
Since day one, our deeply committed, curious and collaborative team has been challenged and inspired. We’ve tried and failed and tried again, and have ultimately become leaders in using technology for global development. To date, we’ve worked with more than 1.5 million smallholder farmers – eighty percent of whom are women – in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. And we’re just getting started.
that are of the community and for the community.
By integrating digital innovation with grassroots expertise, we are collectively changing the status quo. When farmers have the tools they need to learn from each other, they’re far more likely to integrate what they’ve learned into their farming practices – improving their own livelihoods, and those of others in their community, in a manner that’s nutrition-sensitive, climate-resilient and inclusive.
Digital Green began as a research project at Microsoft and became its first non-profit spin-off in 2008. We began by working with frontline extension workers, training them to produce and share videos featuring local farmers. This led to significant increases in information sharing, best-practice adoption rates and, above all, sustainable development at scale.
Rigorous data analysis and farmer feedback continually challenge our assumptions and identify new ways that technology coupled with local knowledge can push the needle on agriculture, food and nutrition security.
Since day one, our deeply committed, curious and collaborative team has been challenged and inspired. We’ve tried and failed and tried again, and have ultimately become leaders in using technology for global development. To date, we’ve worked with more than 1.5 million smallholder farmers – eighty percent of whom are women – in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. And we’re just getting started.
Location: Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Employees: 51-200
Founded date: 2008
Mentions in press and media 2
| Date | Title | Description |
| 02.07.2025 | Emmanuel Lubanzadio, OpenAI’s Africa Lead, is running a marathon | Emmanuel Lubanzadio, OpenAI’s Africa Lead, is often on the road. In April, he was in Kigali, Rwanda, addressing policymakers and tech leaders at the Global AI Summit. Then he was in Morocco, attending the GITEX Africa conference. He has mor... |
| 17.07.2018 | Why Africa Needs More Agritech Entrepreneurs | Agriculture is the biggest employer in Africa with about 70% of the population depending on it to make a living. It accounted for about 32% of Africa’s GDP as at 2016. Growth in the sector is said to be 11 times more effective in reducing p... |