Rice feeds half the global population, but for many farmers, growing the grain feels like a high-stakes gamble. One in five sacks is lost to threats including pests, crop disease and extreme weather. Soj Gamayan, whose family knows these challenges firsthand, is working to change that with his app AgriConnect, an AI-powered platform that helps farmers predict and manage crop risks.

The 22-year-old Filipino recently beat out 110,000 applicants to win the Red Bull Basement World Final in Tokyo. His app uses a simple traffic-light like warning system to translate complex data into clear actions for farmers. The goal: Reduce the $264 million in annual losses that plague the industry.

Rice accounts for 12% of the Philippines’ GDP, but climate change is impacting production. Current methods to assess crop risks aren’t working—30% of potential yield is lost every year due to lack of real-time data. Fast Company spoke with Gamayan about transforming agriculture through technology and making farming less risky for the next generation.

How does AgriConnect’s AI approach differ from existing solutions for farmers?

AgriConnect flips the script on farming. It’s not about how much you can grow; it’s about how much you don’t lose. Farmers are already bringing home three sacks instead of ten—this is about protecting what they’ve worked so hard for. The idea is simple: actionable insights that fit their reality.

Your family’s farming background inspired AgriConnect. What challenges did you witness that drove you to develop this........

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