(February 11, 2026) Gorre Ashok’s childhood memories are riddled with the daily struggles of farmers all around him.
As the son of a farmer couple, he experienced first-hand the physical strain, high costs, labour shortages and, above all, the lack of proper tools that made the lives of small-scale farmers miserable. But instead of being a mute spectator, he decided to do something about it.
Early sparks of innovation
While he was still in sixth grade, Ashok began experimenting with simple tools using locally available materials to create small farming implements. He ended up making a four-in-one multipurpose tool and a basic seed-sowing device, which marked the beginning of his journey into rural innovation.
Eventually, the determined youngster went on to bring about a quiet revolution with his mind-blowing farming inventions through his startup which brought smiles to the faces of thousands of farmers across the two Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. “Seeing farmers struggling with labour shortages, backbreaking work, and low productivity made me feel that innovation must start from villages. From that moment, I decided to dedicate my life to building solutions for farmers and rural communities,” smiles rural innovator Gorre Ashok, in a chat with Global Indian.
Ashok’s journey tells a classic tale of how the rise of one entrepreneur leads to the upliftment of an entire region. Winner of the Forbes India regional award under the category of Tech-Led Social Innovation for his low-cost, farmer-friendly agricultural tools, Ashok’s startup — Rural Rise Agrinery — where he manufactures and supplies his prototypes to farmers at affordable prices, has received global recognition.
A platform on the global stage
In 2023, Ashok got an opportunity to participate in the ASABE (American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineering) conference at the University of Nebraska in the US. “I showcased my innovations and explored farms in Nebraska,” informs the young innovator. He says it was a great platform where he met and exchanged notes with some of the most brilliant minds across the globe.
A moment with Kanwal Rekhi
The latest feather in his cap came when legendary US-based entrepreneur Kanwal Rekhi gave him a pat on the back and appreciated his efforts. During the latter’s recent visit to India, Ashok met Rekhi and shared his journey as a rural innovator and entrepreneur. “He was deeply interested in understanding how local innovation and simple technologies can create large-scale rural impact. Our interaction was extremely motivating,” says the youngster.
Gorre Ashok with Kanwal Rekhi
Entrepreneurs as nation builders
Sharing Ashok’s story in a social media post, the venture capitalist and angel investor Rekhi said he had long believed that entrepreneurs like Ashok are the most effective nation builders. “He’s not using AI. He’s not building a unicorn. He’s building a local company using existing technologies that quickly transformed rural areas,” said Rekhi, who was in India to launch the Kanwal Rekhi Rural Entrepreneurship and Startup Centre (KREST) in Nizamabad.
Ashok says Rekhi’s appreciation and encouragement reinforced his belief that grassroots entrepreneurship can play a powerful role in nation building, and that meaningful change begins at the community level. “Meeting him gave me renewed confidence to scale our work and reach many more farmers across India.”
Vision behind Rural Rise Agrinery
Ashok believes in empowering rural communities with knowledge, resources, and technology. “Our team works closely with farmers to provide training, support, and access to the latest agri-innovations, ensuring sustainable growth and prosperity.” Together, they aim to increase productivity while protecting the environment. “We foster self-reliance by promoting modern yet affordable farming solutions. Our vision is to create thriving villages where farmers lead better, dignified lives.”
Overcoming early challenges
Ashok says the biggest challenges during his journey were lack of money, no engineering background, limited tools, and the absence of a workshop. “I used scrap materials, old cycle parts, pipes, and basic tools to create my first models.” Through continuous trial and error, learning from failures, and strong determination, he slowly improved his designs.
A turning point at T-Works
Seeing his passion for innovation, T-Works — India’s largest prototyping centre and manufacturing knowledge partner in Hyderabad — offered him a position as a junior fellow in their Rural Innovation and Development Program (RIDP) with a stipend. He was 17 then. During his time there, he acquired fundamental engineering and design skills, familiarised himself with various machines, and received invaluable mentorship and support to create market-ready prototypes and products.
Learning the tools of the trade
At T-Works, Ashok found himself in an environment that nurtured his potential. He was provided with comprehensive training in various skills essential for product development, such as product design, CAD, 3D printing, laser cutting, among others. Under the guidance of his mentors, Ashok rapidly expanded his technical knowledge.
“Support from T-Works and innovation programs helped me upgrade my skills and build better prototypes,” says Ashok, who was also part of the Telangana State Innovation Cell’s Intinta Innovator program and worked with an NGO.
Gorre Ashok with Foxconn Chairman Young Liu
Spotlight at Foxconn event
At T-Works, Ashok had the opportunity to showcase his innovations to a distinguished audience that included Foxconn Chairman Young Liu, besides delegates from various countries — significantly expanding his network and eventually enabling him to gain global recognition. “Their support helped me convert raw ideas into working products.”
Rooted in agriculture
Ashok was closely connected to agriculture and village life from his childhood. “Watching farmers work hard every day made me curious about how things could be done better and easier. Their practical experience taught me the real problems of agriculture, which no textbook can explain.”
This exposure pushed him to develop affordable, simple, and effective tools for farmers. “Their support, belief, and sacrifices became the foundation of my innovation journey,” says Ashok, pointing out that his parents and family played a huge role in shaping his thinking.
Solving real problems with MPUV
Among Ashok’s various innovations at Rural Rise Agrinery — which he runs from a shed in his village — is a multipurpose farm utility vehicle. The innovative machine addresses two critical needs — field ploughing and pesticide spraying, which can reach up to 20 feet. “It’s efficient and multifunctional, serving as a practical solution to reduce labour and potentially increase productivity,” explains Ashok.
His breakthrough moment came when farmers told him that his MPUV saved them huge amounts of labour, time, and cost. “Seeing farmers spray one acre in just 15 minutes, instead of struggling for hours, made me realise that my innovations were truly making a difference.”
Where real innovation happens
Ashok says his education helped him structure his thinking. “But most of my learning came from field experience and real-world experimentation,” says the young innovator, who firmly believes that real innovation happens when classroom knowledge meets ground-level problems.
“Instead of memorising theories, I focused on understanding farmers’ pain points and building practical solutions, even with limited resources,” says Ashok, who pursued a course in vocational agriculture at the Devarakonda Vocational Junior College and completed his degree in Bachelor of Arts from Dr BR Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad.
A personal battle against farmer distress
Ashok says farmer suicides, labour shortages, mass migration from villages, and the lack of tools for women farmers deeply affected him. “Coming from a farming family, I understood this pain personally. That pushed me to build solutions instead of just complaining.”
The Forbes moment
“Receiving the Forbes India recognition was deeply emotional. It validated years of hard work, struggle, and persistence,” says Ashok, who first called his sister to share the news and then his mentors. “Their support and encouragement reminded me that this success belongs to everyone who believed in me.” He says the recognition strengthened his responsibility to build bigger, better, and more impactful solutions for farmers. “This recognition motivates me to scale my innovations and create a national-level rural manufacturing ecosystem.”
Looking ahead and life beyond work
As a young innovator, Ashok says his primary goal is to solve labour shortages in agriculture through innovative machines. “Currently, we have more than eight new product ideas in our pipeline, and very soon we are setting up our own small rural manufacturing unit,” says Ashok, who aims to build affordable machines, create rural employment, and encourage youth to see agriculture as a technology-driven opportunity, not a burden.
Outside innovation, Ashok loves listening to music, playing the piano, and playing badminton. “The simple village life with my parents helps me relax. Nature and rural surroundings give me clarity and inspiration.”
- Follow Gorre Ashok on LinkedIn
