Ravi Nandi

Bio

Ravi Nandi joined the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2023 as an innovation systems scientist. Dr. Ravi is an accomplished agricultural economist with over 12 years of experience in interdisciplinary research focusing on the food environment, food systems and socioeconomics of smallholder farmers. His expertise lies in analyzing and improving different aspects of agri-food value chains, farmers’ collectives and linking farmers to the market, with a particular focus on governance, sustainability and innovations. He also has extensive knowledge of the socioeconomics of smallholder farmers and the intricate interplay between agriculture, markets and nutrition.

In his research, Dr. Ravi explores institutional innovations that connect production and market-based interventions to address crucial issues such as poverty reduction, food security, nutrition, sustainable rural livelihoods, and resilience outcomes. He is skilled in working with policymakers and engaging stakeholders, as well as providing training and capacity-building. His current work revolves around emerging areas such as transforming smallholder food systems—understanding the pathways, trade-offs and synergies involved. He also examines institutional innovations and scaling, the agriculture–markets–nutrition nexus, the aspirations of rural poor, and the political economy of crop diversity.

Prior to his current position, Dr. Ravi served as a Joint Advisor (Senior Specialist) in the agriculture and allied sectors at National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, the apex public-policy think tank of the Government of India.